CARSON, CA - The Los Angeles Galaxy today announced that Tom Payne has been named Assistant General Manager. In his new position, Payne will assist with team personnel matters and oversee all aspects of the Galaxy front office, including communications, community development, corporate partnerships, marketing, operations, programming and ticket sales.
"We are very pleased to announce the promotion of Tom Payne, a move that has been in the works for sometime," said President of AEG Sports Shawn Hunter. "We strongly believe in the cultivation of talent from within and Tom has proven over the last three years to be an extremely bright, hard working and successful executive who understands the challenges and potential of promoting and selling the sport of soccer. We look forward to many great things from him in the future."
Payne, 42, brings with him an extensive background in the sports and entertainment industry. He has worked for the Galaxy since 2003 and previously served as the clubs Vice President of Programming and Business Development, overseeing the club's community development, operations and programming departments. Payne was instrumental in opening a number of additional revenue streams for the Galaxy, including negotiating international exhibitions against teams such as Yokohama F. Marinos and Korean national team. He also increased exposure and participation for the club's Copa LA tournament and created the Galaxy Fantasy Camp program and Galaxy Clasico adult tournament.
"I am very grateful to AEG for this opportunity," said new Galaxy Assistant General Manager Tom Payne. "I truly believe the Galaxy organization is the best in MLS, but we must continue to improve and to push ourselves to do more. I am excited to take on this challenge and help lead this organization into the future."
Before joining the Galaxy, Payne served as the Sales Manager for Disney's Wide World of Sports in Orlando from 1998-2003. At Disney, Payne created the Disney's Soccer Showcase, which is now the top-ranked youth/college soccer showcase in the country for top college bound prospects according to Soccer America. Payne was instrumental in introducing college coaches to the event, and possesses extensive knowledge of the collegiate soccer system and landscape.
Payne began his involvement in Major League Soccer in 1998, serving as a consultant for the league and managing all ticket sales, marketing and sponsorship activities for the 1998 MLS All-Star Game, the second highest attended all-star game in league history. Payne also worked as a consultant for MLS, helping to bring all of the teams in the league together for combined spring training in 1998 in Orlando, Florida.
A native of Peekskill, New York, Tom Payne resides in Long Beach, California.
