The United Soccer League (USL), in partnership with the Reno Pro Soccer, has announced their intent to bring professional soccer to Northern Nevada (US).
‘USL’ stated that recently the Reno Pro Soccer closed on the former Jones West Ford site at the Kietzke Lane in the City of Reno in Nevada (US) with plans to transform this vacant parcel into a new sports and entertainment district that will revitalize the area and serve as a community gathering place. A soccer-specific stadium will become home to a USL professional Men’s team.
Tampa (US)-based the United Soccer League (USL) is an organizer of various professional and amateur soccer leagues in the United States league system.
The Reno Pro Soccer’s mission is to serve the community by returning USL Professional Soccer to the area in a stadium that maximizes the fan experience, builds a loyal and passionate following and creates pride for the region while enhancing the economic impact.
The Jones West Ford site in Reno was a dealership on Kietzke Lane that sold the Ford vehicles but closed in 2020 when the business was sold to Corwin Ford. The property that formerly housed Jones West Ford is now for sale.
Observed Justin Papadakis, USL Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Real Estate Officer, “As the USL continues to expand in the Western United States we’re excited about the potential of bringing professional soccer to Northern Nevada. Reno is one of the fastest-growing mid-size Cities in the United States with a passionate soccer fan base. Add in a dedicated local ownership group with plans for a soccer-specific stadium in a prime location and you have the foundation needed to build a successful club and raise Reno’s profile across the region.”
Reno Pro Soccer is led by an accomplished ownership group with strong local roots and extensive experience in business, professional and collegiate sports, local media, and philanthropy:
- Todd Davis, Principal Owner, is a local entrepreneur and investor who come from a professional soccer family. He’s been a dedicated fan and player of the game his entire life and is looking forward to bringing the world’s game back to Reno;
- Wendy Damonte, Co-Founder and head honcho, is an Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning evening news anchor who spent 21 years at KTVN-TV in Reno. She grew up in a sports-dedicated family with her father serving as the Commissioner of the West Coast Athletic Conference;
- Bob Enzenberger, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and General Counsel, is a professionally-recognized lawyer who brings more than 20 years of experience as a litigator and more than 15 years as a full-time mediator and arbitrator; and
- John Doyle is a former international defender and a longtime executive in the United States best known for his contributions to the Major League Soccer (MLS) team San Jose Earthquakes (based in San Jose, California) as a player and then as the General Manager (GM). He earned 53 caps with the US Men’s National Team competing in the 1990 FIFA World Cup™ and the 1988 Seoul Olympics. As the GM from 2007 to 2016, Doyle oversaw the development of the Earthquakes’ home ground – earlier known as the Avaya Stadium which can hold 18,000 spectators, launching the club’s youth academy and assembling the roster that captured the 2012 MLS Supporters’ Shield (annual award).
The West Coast Conference – known as the California Basketball Association from 1952 to 1956 and then as the West Coast Athletic Conference until 1989 – is a collegiate Athletic Conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I consisting of nine member schools across the States of California, Oregon and Washington.
Indianapolis (US)-based the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States and one (1) in Canada. It also organizes the athletic programs of the colleges and helps over 500,000 college student-athletes who compete annually in college sports.
New York (US)-based the Major League Soccer (MLS) is a professional soccer league in North America and the highest level of the United States soccer league system. It comprises 30 teams with 27 in the United States and three (3) in Canada
Averred Davis, “This club and the planned development will be about more than professional soccer, it will serve as a catalyst for Reno’s future. The stadium will be a gathering place where our City’s spirit, energy and pride come alive.”
Added Damonte, “This is a bold step for Reno and we look forward to working with our City leaders, the community stakeholders and the local businesses to build a community-driven soccer club and transform Reno into Northern Nevada’s premier destination for sports and entertainment.”
‘USL’ further stated that in the coming months, the Reno Pro Soccer will gather community input to help shape the club’s identity including the team name, the brand colors and crest and the matchday experience.
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