SALT LAKE CITY, UT --
Real Salt Lake Owner David W. Checketts have announced that Philadelphia Eagles executive Bill Manning has been named President of the Major League Soccer franchise effective Tuesday, April 15. Interim President Alan Pace, who led the executive search effort, will continue to be a partner in the club's parent company, SCP Worldwide overseeing new soccer related business ventures for the company.
"When I asked Alan to grab the reigns of this franchise as interim President I gave him the arduous task of resetting its course," said Checketts. "In five months he has done just that by reestablishing our place in the community while giving the staff the needed tools and direction that has put this franchise in a position for long-term success. I am truly grateful and would like to thank him for all of his hard work."
"Bill Manning comes to us with a tremendous background in sports management," continued Checketts. "His experience in the National Football League and professional soccer is a wonderful combination that I feel will carry Real Salt Lake to new heights. It has always been my goal to have the best franchise in MLS. I know Bill is the right person to lead us there as we enter our fourth season in Major League Soccer and prepare to move into our world-class stadium."
"I am excited by the opportunity in Utah, and in many ways it is a return to my roots, which is the sport of soccer," said Mr. Manning. "Working in the NFL has been a great experience, especially with a marquee franchise like the Eagles, but the opportunity to work for Dave Checketts and join Real with their new stadium was too good to pass up."
Mr. Manning, who has had a distinguished 15 year career in sports, joins RSL following four seasons as Vice President, Sales and Service with the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL. While at the Eagles he was responsible for the team's corporate sponsorship and premium seating. During his tenure he led the corporate sales department to double-digit revenue growth and introduced new premium seating options at Lincoln Financial Field, in addition to managing the servicing of suite clients and Club Seat accounts.
Prior to his NFL experience he joined the Houston Rockets for the successful opening of the state-of-the art Toyota Center holding the title of Director, Corporate Development. Mr. Manning's sports management career also includes a vast array of experience in the soccer industry where he has held positions in Major League Soccer, the United Soccer Leagues (USL) and the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL). While in MLS he was the President and General Manager of the Tampa Bay Mutiny for two seasons (2000 - 2001) and was named MLS Executive of the Year by the Washington Post in 2000. In the USL, he worked for the Minnesota Thunder as President and General Manager leading the team to a championship in 1999 and earning A-League Executive of the Year, the Long Island Rough Riders as Vice President and General Manager and the New York Fever as Director, Marketing and Operations. He started his sports career as Director, Marketing for the CISL.
On the field, Mr. Manning earned collegiate All-America honors at the University of Bridgeport and was recently inducted into the school's Hall of Fame (class of 2006). After college he went on to win a U.S. Open Cup in 1991, participate in 1994 World Cup qualifying with the Puerto Rico National Team and play four seasons in the USL.
Mr. Manning earned his undergraduate degree in 1987 and his MBA at the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1989.
Turnkey Search, a division of Turnkey Sports & Entertainment, was retained to conduct a nationwide search for this key position and handled the executive search process.
