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NWSL NJ/NY Gotham FC

NJ/NY Gotham FC Adds Two Top-Level Sport Executives to Ownership

March 15, 2022 - National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
NJ/NY Gotham FC News Release


HARRISON, N.J. - NJ/NY Gotham FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) welcomed today Kristin Bernert and Karen Bryant as new minority owners. Bernert and Bryant join an ownership group that includes Tammy and Phil Murphy, Ed Nalbandian, and Steven Temares.

"Karen and Kristin are two highly respected and proven operators in women's sports," said Tammy Murphy, Majority Owner and Club Chair. "We worked with them last season to enhance our business operations and I witnessed their passion, knowledge, and leadership first-hand. It's an honor to welcome them as owners and strategic advisors who will help continue the positive transformation of this club and league."

In 2021, Bernert and Bryant co-founded KB2 Sports, a consulting firm focused on driving investment and innovation in woman's sports. KB2 Sports offers strategic guidance and collaboration with key stakeholders to identify and operationalize transformative growth for women's sports teams, leagues, media companies and properties.

"The time to double down on women's sports is now," said Bryant. "It's a privilege to join Gotham FC's ownership group. These world-class athletes are social ambassadors, creators, and storytellers who deserve the same exposure and investment their male counterparts receive. I'm excited to work with Tammy, Ed, and Kristin to help make that a reality."

Bryant will serve as KB2 Sports' Operating Partner with Gotham FC and brings more than 25 years of leadership experience to the club. She started her sports career as General Manager for the Seattle Reign of the American Basketball League before beginning a 15-year tenure with the WNBA's Seattle Storm. Bryant started with the Storm as a Senior Director of Business Operations before being promoted to Chief Operating Officer and then President and Chief Executive Officer. As President and CEO, Bryant oversaw the Storm's transition from an NBA-affiliated team to an independently owned team in 2008. She left the Storm in 2014 and founded Suite J Consulting, a sports management consulting and executive coaching firm. From 2017-2020, Bryant served as the CEO of Atavus Sports, a coach education and performance analytics startup.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to invest in these incredible athletes and beyond excited to help build this club's future," said Bernert. "I've worked in sports for almost two decades and we're experiencing an unprecedented inflection point for women's sports. Coupled with the strong interest in soccer and the World Cup coming to the United States in 2026, Gotham FC is positioned perfectly to capitalize on the moment given its location and star power."

Earlier this year, Bernert was named the President of Business Operations for the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer and will continue in that role. She will also serve as Gotham FC's second chair on the NWSL's Board of Governors alongside Ed Nalbandian. Prior to her time with the Crew, Bernert worked for Madison Square Garden Sports from 2010 until 2020 where she was promoted several times before being named Executive Vice President of Operations. At MSG, Bernert led business operations for the New York Knicks (NBA), New York Rangers (NHL), Counter Logic Gaming (e-sports), Knicks Gaming (NBA 2K), and the Westchester Knicks (G-League). From 2010-2016, she served as SVP of Operations for the New York Liberty (WNBA), where she oversaw all business and basketball operations for the team. Throughout her career, Bernert has also served as the Vice President of Team Marketing and Business Operations at the NBA, President of the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks, and Vice President of the Detroit Shock.

"We're thrilled to welcome Karen and Kristin to our ownership group." said Ed Nalbandian, Owner and Vice Chair. "Bringing in two people with their level of knowledge and expertise speaks volumes about where we are and where we're headed as an organization. I'm excited about the active role Karen will play in the day-to-day club operations and the wealth of knowledge Kristin brings to the league's Board of Governors will be invaluable. I look forward to working with them to make Gotham FC the premier women's sports franchise."

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