Join us as we sit down with Tim McDermott, the President of MLS Club Philadelphia Union, to uncover his multifaceted journey through the world of professional sports management. In this episode, Tim dove into his personal and professional background, sharing insights from his expansive career that spans across the NFL, NHL< NBA< and now the MLS.

Tim opens up about the influential figures from his youth and early career, discussing how mentors and role models have shaped his professional ethos and strategic approach. He reflects on the transitions and challenges of adapting marketing strategies to suit the unique cultures and fanbases of each team he's managed, and other areas of the business that he had to learn when transitioning from CMO to President.

With Philadelphia Union experiencing a sold-out season last year, Tim reveals some of the key strategies behind their success. He emphasizes the role of community engagement, innovative fan-building initiatives, and the cohesive efforts of the entire organization, from ticketing to top-tier marketing campaigns, in creating a thriving club atmosphere.

Tim truly has one of the greatest minds in the sports industry, and this episode is full of golden nuggets of wisdom, insights, and stories that you won't want to miss out on hearing.

Now Live on Youtube, Spotify, Apple and everywhere else.

#OffThePitch • #SoccerBusinessPodcast

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To reach out to us please email:
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In this episode, we're joined by Lee Cohen, the President of USL Championship side Charleston Battery and former President of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Lee shared with us his extensive journey through the soccer landscape, revealing the insights and strategies that have shaped his successful career so far.

Lee took us back to his early experiences as an intern at the PDL that quickly found himself as the league's Director less than 18 months later, which is a theme in Lee' career of facing challenges head on and never shying away from absorbing more responsibility and pressure. He discussed the unique challenges and triumphs of leading a club during the unpredictable 2020 season - a year that saw his team win the Eastern Conference despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19. He also opened up about his move to Charleston, detailing his initial conversations with the ownership group and what made him get back into the President's chair after a brief break from the game.

Under Lee's leadership, Charleston Battery has seen a remarkable turnaround, clinching the Eastern Conference title in 2023 having finished third from bottom just one year earlier. Lee attributes this success to more than just tactics on the pitch; preferring the idea of instilling a set of strong values within the club's staff over the abstract concept of "culture".

It is clear from this conversation as to why Lee has had the success and rapid upward growth in his career so far in the game, with a big reason being his authentic day-to-day mindset of taking each day as it comes and only focussing on what you can control in the here and now.

Now Live on Youtube, Spotify, Apple and everywhere else.

#OffThePitch • #SoccerBusinessPodcast

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Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastOffthePitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/podcastoffthepitch/

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http://www.tiktok.com/@podcastoffthepitch

Follow Lee Cohen on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-cohen-2291837/

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kinnear-b48857195/

To reach out to us please email:
contact@offthepitchpod.com

In this episode, we're joined by Ron Patel, President of USL Championship side New Mexico United. Ron shared his unique journey from being born in Liverpool and quickly getting exposed to the passion for the game, to now leading one of the most community-focused soccer clubs in the US.

Ron reflected on the early challenges of starting a soccer club (Albuquerque Sol), the lessons learned from his first business ventures, and how this shaped his skillset when he was tapped on the shoulder to come in as employee number one of New Mexico United.

Under Ron's leadership, New Mexico United isn't just a soccer club; it's truly a movement that champions community impact over profit. He discussed the club's ethos, the importance of hiring staff who align with their purpose-driven mission, and his personal view of his role not just as a job, but as a calling.

He also revealed the moment he's proudest of so far with New Mexico United--a story you won't want to miss--and what he's most looking forward to in the future of New Mexico United and soccer in the United States.

If you're a soccer fan, business person, or simply a lover of feel-good stories, this one's for you.

Now Live on Youtube, Spotify, Apple and everywhere else.

#OffThePitch • #SoccerBusinessPodcast

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Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@PodcastOffthePitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/podcastoffthepitch/

Follow Off the Pitch on TikTok:
http://www.tiktok.com/@podcastoffthepitch

Follow Ron Patel on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-patel-7b22455/

Follow Matt Cunningham on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattcghm/

Follow David Kinnear on social:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kinnear-b48857195/

To reach out to us please email:
contact@offthepitchpod.com