Adrian Wojnarowski Auctioning Off Old iPhones for NIL Money Is Genius

Former ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski is giving basketball fans the chance to own a piece of history by auctioning off his old cellphones.

In September, Wojnarowski stunned the basketball world when he announced his retirement from breaking news. As ESPN’s top news breaker, his updates—coined “Woj Bombs”—frequently shocked fans with blockbuster moves seemingly out of nowhere.

Wojnarowski stepped away due to the intense demands of being the NBA’s top insider. He often went days without sleep, missed flights while waiting on scoops and was frequently distant from his family due to the job’s rigorous nature.

The longtime sports journalism pioneer has since been re-energized by an opportunity with his alma mater, the St. Bonaventure Bonnies men’s basketball program. He is now leading the program’s name, image and likeness (NIL) efforts, which have rapidly gained attention across collegiate sports.

As part of these efforts, Wojnarowski is auctioning off his old iPhones, press credentials, ESPN media badges and even phone calls and dinners with the former reporter.

His available phones include an iPhone 11 he used to announce the NBA’s suspension of play due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an iPhone XR he used to break the news of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George teaming up with the Los Angeles Clippers, the iPhone 14 he used to cover the NBA Draft lottery that landed Victor Wembanyama with the San Antonio Spurs, and the phone he used to cover his final NBA Draft.

As of Monday evening, bids for these phones range from $250 to $750.

Other items include his 2021 and 2024 NBA Finals press passes. His 2023 NBA Draft credential, from the year Wembanyama was selected, is already up to $750.

Fans have a week to bid on these collectibles. While the phones are likely wiped of any insider contacts, messages or information, the idea that a Spurs fan could own the cellphone used to announce their franchise-altering draft pick is an amusing one.

By the end of the auction, the St. Bonaventure NIL fund is projected to raise close to $10,000. That’s a significant sum for a few items that were likely sitting in Wojnarowski’s junk drawer.

He has been transparent about the immense stress of his career, particularly in recent years. Parting with these items from his final seasons likely provides a sense of closure—while also helping fund his new endeavor.

Wojnarowski revolutionized basketball media. Now, he’s figuring out the NIL game one old iPhone at a time.