Nashville Soccer Club Extends CEO Ian Ayre’s Contract Through 2026

/in /by

Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre. Photo: Courtesy of NSC and MLS

The Nashville SC ownership group has extended CEO Ian Ayre’s contract through 2026. Ayre has served as CEO of the club since 2018 and will be with Nashville through the North American FIFA World Cup.

“We have a great team in place right now–on and off the pitch,” says Principal Owner John Ingram. “We have above-expectation results and a lot of momentum in the right direction, and that’s in large part because we have Ian leading the way. Our confidence in him continuing to do so at a high level is evidenced by this extension. Our success on the pitch and in the front office are absolutely linked, and Ian has been critical in building our club up to the major professional sports organization it is today. I look forward to bigger and better things ahead.”

Ayre was CEO of Liverpool Football Club from 2014-2017 and was named English Premier League CEO of the Year. Ayre’s extension comes after the recent extensions for General Manager Mike Jacobs and Head Coach Gary Smith. All of this shows that the Nashville SC front office will have stability for the foreseeable future.

“It’s been a blessing so far to see what Nashville SC has become, so it’s humbling to know that I will continue to be a part of this journey for years to come,” says Ayre. “I couldn’t image a better team and city to be surrounded by, and I will always be extremely grateful for being given the opportunity to lead this club. With our stadium getting ready to welcome fans through its gates in 2022, the future couldn’t be brighter.”

During Ayre’s tenure with the club, Nashville SC has overcome all sorts of challenges in its inaugural season while still setting new league records and becoming the first MLS expansion team to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs since the 1998 Chicago Fire. Midway into their second MLS season, NSC are tied at third in points in the Eastern Conference.

Off the pitch, the club continues to solidify its foundation in Nashville, as its fandom and season ticket membership, currently among the top 10 teams in MLS, continues to grow ahead of its new stadium opening in May of 2022. Following a successful launch and sellout of premium spaces, the stadium will be at over half capacity when general seating for 2022 goes on sale tomorrow (Aug. 10).

Steven Boero
Latest posts by Steven Boero (see all)