CHICAGO: The beleaguered US Soccer Federation, still feeling the aftershocks of the furore caused by the “blatant sexism” shown by its erstwhile president in the federation’s response to a gender discrimination lawsuit by the US women’s team, has named veteran sports executive Will Wilson as chief executive officer, filling a vacancy left open after former CEO Dan Flynn retired in September.
“Launching a new era for the organization”, Wilson has been named the new CEO and secretary general of the USSF. With 29 years of leadership and experience in the international and domestic sports industry – at the agency, league and team levels – Wilson, 52, is a seasoned executive who brings a strong vision and a proven track record of developing and implementing sound strategies in all aspects of the business. He joins US Soccer from global sports agency, Wasserman, where he served as executive vice-president and co-head of Football for the last eight years. He will officially begin in the role on March 30 and will eventually relocate to Chicago.
“We are thrilled Will is joining US Soccer as our CEO,” said US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone (who only took over the president’s office this month, stepping up from vice president after president Carlos Cordeiro resigned).
“He brings an unrivaled set of experience and expertise to soccer in America. His global perspective, background in marketing and growing sporting events and extensive experience in the sports business will be invaluable in growing soccer at all levels. Soccer is the world’s game and Will is the perfect person to help us grow it to America’s game,” Parlow Cone added.
Wilson’s vision helped launch Wasserman’s NFL representation practice with the signing of Andrew Luck, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, whose 2016 contract extension was then the largest in league history. The division has grown to represent more than 100 NFL players with senior agents located across the country, one of the most comprehensive in the sport. As an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor, he has a deep understanding of labor issues as well as working within the constructs of a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Prior to Wasserman, Wilson served as executive vice president of International Business & Special Events for Major League Soccer (MLS) and Soccer United Marketing (SUM) from 2008-12. Fluent in Spanish, he oversaw the League’s international game business.
“There is nothing like harnessing our nation’s support behind our women’s and men’s national teams, and I see significant upside in our ability to work with our membership to grow participation levels, increase our commercial business and drive our ability to compete on the field at the highest level,” said Wilson.
During his time with MLS and SUM, Wilson managed all international business relationships, including FC Barcelona, Manchester United, the Concacaf Gold Cup, and the game partnership with the Mexican Football Federation. Wilson’s group also oversaw MLS’s marquee events, including their annual MLS All-Star Game and MLS Cup.
Wilson brings an additionally varied background, including positions with the Arena Football League (AFL), the Champ Car World Series (né CART), and the National Football League.
“US Soccer has an amazing fan base and our supporters are waiting for us to get things back on track both on and off the field,” said Wilson. “I’m incredibly energized and excited about the work in front of us to continue striving to become America’s preeminent sport.”
