ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski donates $50K to St. Bonaventure NIL collective
Adrian “Woj” Wojnarowski has always been a public supporter of St. Bonaventure.
ESPN’s NBA insider is now putting his fame and financial backing behind his alma mater’s basketball-specific NIL collective, Team Unfurl. Ahead of Sunday night’s NBA All-Star Game, Wojnarowski announced on social media he and his wife, Amy, also an alum, have committed $50,000 to the collective.
In the ever-changing landscape of college sports, booster-backed collectives have become crucial in retaining and attracting talent. Already a board member of Team Unfurl, the financial commitment to the collective comes Selection Sunday and the transfer portal just a month away. The NIL collective launched in May 2023.
On top of the $50,000 donation, Woj has committed another $50,000 if boosters help match the number.
“We’re going to match another $50,000 if you’ll subscribe, if you’ll give,” Adrian Wojnarowski said in a video released Sunday. “We have a chance here to raise $150,000 before the end of this basketball season. St. Bonaventure, once again, one of the elite mid-major programs in this country. We have a chance to keep coach [Mark] Schmidt and this team and university competitive with anybody in the country.
“Our opportunity to continue to win Atlantic 10 basketball championships depends on your support with our collective.”
Team Unfurl offers a range of monthly and annual membership packages, that include different perks such as invitations to exclusive events and apparel. Sources have told On3 that the top NIL basketball collectives in the country are operating with a $2 to $4 million payroll.
The Bonnies are currently 16-9 overall with a 7-6 mark in the A-10. Schmidt is in his 17th seasons at St. Bonaventure, with three NCAA tournament appearances and conference tourney titles. He’s been twice named the A-10 Coach of the Year. Entering the final stretch of the regular season, St. Bonaventure is No. 69 in the NCAA’s NET rankings but also is 1-4 in Quadrant 1 games. The Bonnies are fifth in the A-10 and play at La Salle on Wednesday.
The major donation from Wojnarowski can make all the different for Team Unfurl and St. Bonaventure this upcoming offseason.