A coach’s political views clash with his new team’s hometown

St. Bonaventure basketball’s new general manager came with big sacrifices. Adrian Wojnarowski left a high-paying ESPN job—where he earned seven figures—for a role paying about one percent of his old salary. The move showed serious commitment, but it also introduced a challenge: his outspoken political stance doesn’t match the community he now serves. Local figures in Olean, where St. Bonaventure plays, say his public criticism of Republicans and former President Trump has created an unspoken divide. One regular at a nearby country club put it plainly: some locals feel he looks down on their views. Whether fair or not, the perception lingers that he doesn’t want to connect with fans who hold different political beliefs.Wojnarowski has never hidden his disapproval. In 2020, he sent a heated email to a senator during a tense debate over NBA-China relations. The message got him suspended. More recently, he’s amplified anti-Trump opinions online, including posts calling for resistance to “fascism. ” He’s also been vocal about social justice issues, especially during his time at ESPN. When asked about the growing discomfort in the community, he didn’t deny the tension. Instead, he argued that a strong basketball team could bring people together regardless of politics. Still, the divide seems real. In the 2024 election, the surrounding county voted for Trump by a wide margin—twice as much as for Harris. Not long ago, a major political announcement arrived in his direction first—only for the news to leak before he could share it officially. It was clear the moment had passed him by.