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MLS D.C. United

Kevin Payne Returns to United Front Office

January 15, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
D.C. United News Release


CHANTILLY, VA (January 15, 2004) - Anschutz Entertainment Group announced today that Kevin Payne will return to D.C. United as the club's President and CEO. In his new role, Payne will oversee all of United's ventures, including plans for a soccer specific stadium to house the organization. United Sr. Vice President Stephen Zack will remain with the team in his current capacity as will United Technical Director Dave Kasper.

"I'm thrilled to be back working with the staff at D.C. United on a full-time basis," said Payne. "We accomplished many of the goals we had established internally for the AEG soccer division, and always foresaw the time when I would return to run this organization. I'm excited to rejoin United as we embark on a new era in the history of our team."

"It was always our intention for Kevin to return to D.C. at the right time," stated AEG President and CEO Tim Leiweke. "D.C. United achieved great things on and off of the field under his leadership prior to assuming his corporate role at AEG, and we are confident Kevin and the team at D.C. will again achieve the success that everyone associates with the most honored club in MLS history."

With over 13 years of experience at the highest levels in the soccer industry, there are few people in the United States with a background in the business of soccer as extensive as Payne. After working in the an award winning radio newsman in New York City and as a senior resort marketing executive in Vail, CO, Payne became the National Administrator for the U.S. Soccer Federation in 1989. In the fall of 1990, he was named Deputy Executive Director and Director of Marketing for the United States Soccer Federation.

Payne left the federation in 1991 to become Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Soccer USA Partners (SUSAP/API Soccer) and was named the group's President in early 1994. The highly successful sports marketing agency was responsible for staging more than 60 U.S. national team matches, including the 1992 and 1993 U.S. Cups, and sold more than $35 million in sponsorships for U.S. Soccer and U.S. Youth Soccer.

In the fall of 1994, Payne, as President of SUSAP, assisted Alan Rothenberg in gathering a charter group of investors for the creation of Major League Soccer (MLS). Payne put together the original investment group for D.C. United and served as the President and General Manager of the team from its inception to 2001, as the club became the most successful team in MLS both on and off the field, winning six major championships and leading the League in attendance during his tenure.

In 2001, Payne joined AEG as Sr. Vice President and Managing Director of AEG Soccer, which now oversees five MLS teams, including the L.A. Galaxy, Chicago Fire, D.C. United, MetroStars and the San Jose Earthquakes. Payne also oversaw all other AEG soccer activities.

Payne is a member of the Board of Governors of MLS, and also sits on the Marketing and Competition committees of the league. He serves on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Soccer Federation, is the Secretary of the U.S. Soccer Foundation, serves on the Executive Committee of the Foundation, and is a board member of several soccer-related community organizations in the Washington, D.C. area, including the Soccer 94 Foundation and United for D.C.

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Major League Soccer Stories from January 15, 2004


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