Earthquakes bring back controversial executive on short-term deal

The San Jose Earthquakes have hired Gavin Wilkinson as an independent roster consultant through the end of the 2026 season, a move that followed a "restorative practices" process clearing him to work in Major League Soccer — a process in which the National Women's Soccer League was not formally involved, multiple sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic.

The Quakes did not announce the hire; ESPN reported it earlier this month. Club officials, when contacted this week, would not say if or how they independently addressed the findings of the Sally Yates report and the joint NWSL and NWSL Players Association report in their hiring process, nor whether Bay FC was consulted.

A history that followed him

Wilkinson, now 52, spent two decades in Portland, first as a player and later as an executive. He was a Timbers executive from the club's MLS entry in 2010 and took charge of soccer operations for their sister club, the Portland Thorns, when the NWSL launched in 2013.

In 2021, after The Athletic detailed allegations against then-Thorns head coach Paul Riley, Wilkinson was placed on administrative leave from his Thorns role but remained in charge of the Timbers. In 2022, he faced renewed criticism after reports that domestic violence allegations against midfielder Andy Polo had not been reported by the club to MLS.

Two days after the Yates report detailed his handling of 2015 sexual misconduct allegations against Riley, Portland fired Wilkinson in October 2022. He was never banned or sanctioned by the NWSL, but the U.S. Soccer-commissioned Yates report and the separate joint NWSL/NWSLPA investigative report found that Wilkinson had spoken positively about Riley to the Western New York Flash, which hired the disgraced coach months after his departure from Portland.

A 'restorative' path back

After his firing, Wilkinson spent more than a year out of public-facing roles. Earlier this year, he worked for the MLS league office in a consulting capacity, two sources with knowledge of the work confirmed. Before that, the sources said, Wilkinson participated in "restorative practices" similar to those MLS players undergo after on-field incidents.

The process was led by Dr. Derek Suite, an outside psychiatrist and "sports mental performance specialist" who has run a similar process for players. A league spokesperson declined to detail what it entailed. Sola Winley, the league's chief engagement officer, spoke with department heads before Wilkinson's short-term league role was finalized.

In early 2024, Sporting Kansas City hired Wilkinson as sporting director, only to "mutually agree" to release him eight days later amid fierce fan backlash. He has not held an executive role since — until San Jose.

Pushback from Bay FC and supporters

Bay FC, the third-year NWSL club that shares PayPal Park with the Earthquakes, pushed back against the hiring. In a statement first issued Monday to the San Francisco Chronicle, the club said:

"As an organization committed to building a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment, we believe the actions and history associated with Wilkinson's time in professional soccer are inconsistent with the standards we hold for those entrusted to lead in our sport. We stand with the players, survivors and advocates who have worked tirelessly to make soccer a safer and more inclusive place, and we will continue to put the safety, dignity, and well-being of our players and our community first."

Earthquakes supporters also protested. Two days before Bay FC's statement, some fans displayed a banner reading "GW Out" after Saturday's loss to St. Louis. One of the club's three main supporters groups, the Faultline, posted a response that said:

"MLS fanbases expect their front office to uphold high standards of integrity, safety and accountability. Involving Gavin Wilkinson in the Earthquakes organization, even as an advisor or consultant, sends a harmful message to supporters, community partners, staff, and players. Wilkinson's repeated failure to prioritize the safety of women and hold abusive people accountable makes him unfit to work for the San Jose Earthquakes organization. We call on the Quakes to terminate the contract of Gavin Wilkinson. #GWOut."

Silence from the front office

Quakes coach Bruce Arena, asked about Wilkinson after Saturday's loss, said: "I don't have a comment on that. You can talk to our team president." Team president Jared Shawlee has not commented. Club spokespeople did not answer a series of emailed questions and have not made Wilkinson available.

The club said in a statement: "Gavin Wilkinson has been retained as an independent consultant focused on roster planning. This is a defined consulting role. Gavin has no management or supervisory responsibilities and no involvement in club operations beyond that work. The club will conduct a full general manager search at the conclusion of the season."

Wilkinson, upon his Kansas City hiring in 2024, referenced an "error of judgment" in Portland and told his introductory news conference: "I should have done more. I think I've learned I'm not perfect, but I've never met a perfect person. And you know, with me being in a very public spotlight, obviously, everyone can have an opinion, everyone can pass judgment and I'm just hopeful that fans will look at the facts and I will have plenty of opportunity with town hall and other initiatives to relate to folks and answer questions as well. And then it's up to them to make their mind up."