Whitecaps Appoint Chief Executive Officer From English Premier League
November 24, 2009 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that Paul Barber, of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club of the English Premier League, has been named the new chief executive officer of the Whitecaps, effective March 1, 2010.
Barber will join president Bob Lenarduzzi and chief operating officer Rachel Lewis in heading up the Whitecaps executive team, as the club moves towards 2011 and their inaugural season in Major League Soccer (MLS). Barber will act as the primary representative within the club for the Vancouver MLS 2011 ownership group, and bring world-class experience and leadership to the club's business and soccer operations.
"Paul brings the stature of our club to the next level and we are thrilled to add such an invaluable asset," said Lenarduzzi. "Paul comes to Vancouver from one of the most storied clubs in the world, which competes with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, in one of the world's most successful leagues. He has an incredible international network and set of skills in both the technical and commercial areas that will no doubt help us reach our vision of being one of the best sports franchises in the world."
Barber, 42, is currently the executive director of Tottenham Hotspur, having joined the North London club's board of directors in 2005. Reporting to executive chairman, Daniel Levy, Barber is responsible for all of Tottenham's key operational divisions, including commercial areas, ticketing and hospitality, international tours and friendly matches, and the club's soccer development area, which includes domestic and international coaching programs and soccer camps. Last spring, Forbes.com listed the 127-year old club as the 11th most valuable soccer team in the world at US$445-million, with an annual revenue of US$245-million.
"I have had the great pleasure of getting to know Paul and his family very well over the past three years," added Vancouver MLS 2011 co-owner Jeff Mallett. "We have met numerous times on both sides of the ocean, to talk football and explore possible opportunities in Vancouver. Through our correspondence, it became clear that Paul is the right leader to successfully head up our MLS efforts. Our entire ownership group is very pleased to have Paul on board in Vancouver, but perhaps none more than Steve Nash, who also knows Paul personally and has been an avid Spurs supporter since childhood."
"I have been hugely impressed by the ownership group's vision for the Whitecaps, and for the significant opportunity that Major League Soccer represents throughout North America," said Barber. "All four owners are extremely passionate about the game and they are determined to ensure the Whitecaps provide an incredible soccer legacy - not just for Vancouver, but for Canada as a whole. This is already a fantastic and very well supported soccer franchise with a highly professional infrastructure and a genuine ambition to be one of the biggest and best run club sides in the world. I am looking forward to the future here in Vancouver, leading and learning from a very talented and highly committed group of people."
Over the next three months, Barber will focus on his role as executive director at Tottenham, where he is currently leading the club's negotiations to secure a new shirt sponsor, as well as stadium naming rights partners. The native of North London will also continue to support England's efforts to stage the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup, where he is a member of the London host city group, and to sit on the board of Rose Bowl plc - parent company of Hampshire County Cricket Club - where he is a non-executive director. Barber and his family will relocate to Vancouver from March 2010 onwards, at which time he will be available to provide further comment on his role with Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
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- Whitecaps Appoint Chief Executive Officer From English Premier League - Vancouver Whitecaps
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