NEW YORK - Major League Soccer (MLS) and Soccer United Marketing (SUM) expanded the executive leadership of the two organizations today as MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced that Nelson Rodriguez has been named Senior Vice President of Strategic Business Development and William Wilson has been named Executive Vice President of International Business & Special Events.
A longtime MLS and SUM employee with extensive experience at all levels of the soccer industry, Rodriguez will work closely with MLS Commissioner Don Garber and MLS President Mark Abbott in areas such as strategic planning, new business development and alliance development for both MLS and SUM.</p>
Wilson, who has 16 years of experience in the international sports industry including executive positions with the National Football League, Champ Car World Series and Arena Football, will manage international partnerships and properties and oversee the special events group for MLS and SUM. Wilson, who spent 15 of the last 16 years working in Europe and Mexico, will report to Soccer United Marketing President Douglas Quinn.
"We're pleased to elevate Nelson Rodriguez into a new role in the Commissioner's Office and add a seasoned executive in Will Wilson who will help us continue the evolution of our international business," Garber said. "Due to the significant growth in the business of both MLS and SUM, we needed to have additional oversight of our business on an enterprise-wide basis and Nelson is perfect fit for this new position."</p>
"Will Wilson's experience and expertise provide SUM and MLS with one of the most talented executives in the international sports industry," Quinn added. "Will has worked for clubs and leagues at all levels in a variety of positions which gives him a deep understanding of all facets of our business."</p>
Rodriguez, 42, moves into his new role after spending nearly four years as Senior Vice President of International Business for SUM. In his capacity with SUM, Rodriguez managed the acquisition and development of competitions and events, broadcast rights, player development programs and image/branding plans for SUM properties. Rodriguez has had leadership roles in international business, administration and player personnel since joining MLS and SUM in 2000.
Rodriguez's wide-ranging career in the soccer industry also includes two years as director of soccer operations with the then-MetroStars in 1998 and 1999 and leading the Men's Soccer team at Lafayette College as Head Coach between 1995 and 1997. He took his team to the 1995 NCAA Round of 16 in the first tournament appearance in program history. Among his other management roles in the sport, Rodriguez was also a member of the local organizing committee for the New Jersey venue at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States, assisting the Venue Executive Director and FIFA officials and dignitaries.
Wilson, 40, joins MLS and SUM after serving as Executive Vice President of Sales for the Arena Football League (AFL). In this role he managed the growth of the AFL's sales efforts including national, regional, and special events sponsorships as well as media sales. Prior to the AFL, Wilson was the Executive Vice President of Sales for the Champ Car World Series (CART). In this role he oversaw the sponsorship, broadcast media, licensing, marketing, PR, and partner services functions of the international open wheel racing sanctioning body.
Previously Wilson served as Managing Director of NFL Mexico. Based in Mexico, the bilingual Wilson oversaw all aspects of the League business in Latin America including sponsorship, media rights, licensing, and special events. Prior to Mexico, he served as General Manager of the NFL Europe League Scottish Claymores based in Glasgow, Scotland.
Born in London, England, Wilson graduated with a degree in English Literature from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio and he holds an MBA from the Tecnológico de Monterrey Graduate School of Business (EGADE) in Monterrey, Mexico. Wilson will begin his tenure with MLS and SUM on January 2, 2008.
ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and Canada and features many stars from North America and around the world. The 14 teams that will compete in MLS in 2008 are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Chivas USA, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, Red Bull New York, New England Revolution, San Jose Earthquakes, Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC. A new expansion team in Seattle will begin play in 2009. For more information about MLS, log on to the League's official web site at www.MLSnet.com.
About Soccer United Marketing (SUM)
Founded in 2002, Soccer United Marketing (SUM) is the preeminent soccer company in North America. SUM holds the exclusive rights to the most important soccer properties in the region, including: all commercial rights to Major League Soccer; the United States Soccer Federation; promotional and marketing rights to Mexican National Team games played in the United States; and marketing, promotional and broadcast rights to the prestigious eight-team Mexican club tournament - InterLiga. SUM also manages promotional and marketing rights in the United States for Mexico's most popular sports team, Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas).
Soccer United Marketing annually produces and promotes many of the largest sports events in the United States. SUM managed the highly successful FC Barcelona USA Tour 2006, the marketing and promotion of the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the region's premier soccer tournament for national teams, and the Real Madrid American Tour in July 2005. In addition, SUM created SuperLiga, the innovative professional tournament between MLS and Mexico's First Division clubs that debuted in 2007. SUM's newest addition to its portfolio is the Pan-Pacific Championship 2008, an international soccer tournament that will debut in February 2008. These global properties are represented by SUM's slogan: One Sport. One Company. For more information, please visit www.SUMworld.com
