PLAYER ENGAGEMENT

As we create player programs and curate player resources, we keep total wellness in mind. To guide this process, we focus on the following seven areas of an athlete’s life, which we call the 7 C’s.

1. CHARACTER – Education on the benefits of maintaining character and professionalism
2. CHANGE – Transition assistance for various stages of life
3. CAREER – Training and opportunities for experience in a variety of professional industries
4. CARE – Best practices for total wellness to nourish the mind, body, and spirit
5. CURRENCY – Financial literacy training based on personal and global economic conditions
6. CONNECTION – Opportunities for players and the league to fellowship, celebrate, and learn together
7. COGNITION – Continuing education offerings for secondary or postsecondary education

Reach out with any questions about Player Engagement services: PlayerEngagement@MLSsoccer.com

MLS Player Engagement offers support throughout the entire playing life cycle, including the following three player groups:

• FUTURE – MLS NEXT academy players
• NOW – Active MLS Players
• BEYOND – MLS Greats

DR. JAMIL NORTHCUTT

Senior Vice President, Player and League Advancement

Dr. Jamil Northcutt is Major League Soccer’s Senior Vice President of Player and League Advancement. In this role, he is responsible for the implementation of league programs, initiatives, and strategic partnerships that enhance the league’s player and competition relationships. 

Northcutt’s team develops the best practices and strategy for assisting players in adjusting to life on and off the field, player marketing, risk management, player engagement events, and club relations. Northcutt also serves as liaison to the MLSPA, spearheads initiatives that seek to increase representation and participation of underrepresented groups within the MLS ecosystem and the sport of soccer, and works to identify new business opportunities to support the league and its personnel.

Prior to joining MLS, Northcutt held numerous roles in professional and collegiate athletics, including roles at the NCAA, National Football League, Cleveland Browns, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), Kansas City Chiefs, and the Southeastern Conference. 

Dr. Northcutt played football at Ole Miss, where he earned the Chucky Mullins Courage Award, helped the Rebels to four bowl games and was selected to the 2003 AFCA and SEC Good Works teams.

Among the boards that Dr. Northcutt proudly serves on are the Business of Sports School, Pro Sports Assembly Governing Board, and Sports Business Journal’s All-In Advisory Board.

Northcutt has three degrees from Ole Miss: a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, a Master's degree in Higher Education and Administration, and his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration. Northcutt also completed an executive education certification program at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

CHIDOZIE IBEABUCHI

Senior Director, Player Engagement

Chidozie Ibeabuchi is the Senior Director of Player Engagement at Major League Soccer where he is responsible for driving the MLS player outreach strategy for active and former players as well as overseeing the player transition and financial education programs. 

Chidozie’ s career spans over a decade, where he has garnered extensive knowledge across various sectors of the sports industry working for the NBA’s New York Knicks, the NHL’s New York Rangers, and the NFL’s league office. At the NFL, Ibeabuchi worked in several roles including Special Events, Fan Strategy & Marketing, the NFL Player Care Foundation, and Entertainment & Player Marketing. Most recently, he worked in the NFL’s Player Engagement department where he focused on player transition including career development, financial and continuing education, and total wellness.

Chidozie received his bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from St. John’s University, an athlete development executive education certificate from UPENN, and his M.B.A. in Strategic Innovation & Business Data & Analytics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also currently serves on the St. John's University Division of Sport Management Advisory Board.

VICTOR KIDD

Senior Director, Player Well-Being and Clinical Services

Dr. Victor D. Kidd is an experienced and licensed psychotherapist and sport and entertainment professional. Driven by his love for sport and mental health, Dr. Kidd takes pride in providing innovative clinical support to sport and entertainment organizations. As the inaugural Senior Director of Player Well-Being and Clinical Services, Dr. Kidd’s goals include increasing awareness and implementing programming regarding mental health among players, coaches, and other stakeholders. In addition to his primary job functions, Dr. Kidd will support Player and League Advancement by integrating his clinical expertise with player advancement initiatives. Dr. Kidd earned his PhD in sport and entertainment management from the University of South Carolina, while earning his master's in clinical social work from Howard University.