William WIlson and his nearly 3 decades of experience in numerous sports has a top position in the Federation. The new CEO & Secretary General takes over from the retired Dan Flynn following an exhaustive half year long search utilizing a pair fo search firms, in the end it was his own interest that lead to his hiring. He has 29 years at many levels in the industry from agency, league and team positions. At 52 he will bring all his past to bear for the USSF and his hardy view of the future and past successes in growing & building solid approaches encompassing all avenues in the industry. His last position was with Wasserman, a world wide sports agency filling the role of Exec. VP & Co-Head of Football for 8 years. His start date is March 30, he like most others willl have to move to Chicago.
Federation Presidnt for scant weeks, Cindy Parlow informed "We are thrilled Will is joining US Soccer as our CEO. He brings an unrivaled set of experience and expertise to soccer in America. His global perspective, background in marketing and growing sporintg 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 grow it to America's game.
His forsight aided in starting up the NFL representation group within Wasseman as they inked Andrew Luck, the top pick in the NFL Draft of 2012, his extension in '16 would prove to be the biggest in league history. That part of Wasserman now serves over 100 NFL athletes with their stable of senior agents nation wide. An NFL Contract Advisor, he has a broad comprehension of labor issues and staying within the confines of many a CBA.
He is kind of back to the future here as before Wasserman, he had been the Exec. VP of international Business & Special Events for MLS & SUM. Eductedin Mexico, he is of course fluent in Spanish as he lorded over MLS international game business.
WIlson stated "I'm very excited to be joining US Soccer. I have always admired the Federation from afar and have long felt that the US Soccer crest is one of the best brands in the business. There is nothing like harnessing our nation's support behind our Women's & Men's National Teams, and I see significant upside in our ablitity 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."
While with MLS & SUM, he handled varioius foreign business not limited to FC Barcelona, Manchester United, Concacaf Gold Cup & match unions invlving the Mexico Football Federation. His area also handled the MLS's big days, the All-Star and Cup games.
His past includes various sporting events beyond the footballs as he was with the Champ Car Wold Series (CART), AFL & NFL. His Spanish skills were to put to work as the Managing Dir. of NFL Mexico and was involved in the whole of the league's dealings in Latin America. Popping the pond, he was in PR with NFL Europe team Frankfurt Galaxy & Scottish Claymores for 9 years then advancing to GM of the Claymores in 1998. A native of London, England, he graduated from Kenyon College in Gambier, OH and a 4 year career in American football. He additionally has an MBA from the EGADE in Monterrey , Mexico.
Wilson closed in stating "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. I'm incredibly energized and excited about the work in front of us to continue striving to become America's preeminent sport."