Tim Pernetti Out, Tom Glick In As NYCFC President
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — New York City FC is replacing its leader before playing its first game in Major League Soccer.
The expansion team said Thursday that Tim Pernetti will leave his job as chief business officer after its March 8 opener. NYCFC says Pernetti has been hired as president of multimedia for WME, IMG's college business.
Tom Glick will become NYCFC president Sunday. Glick is a former NBA executive who has worked for sister club Manchester City for the past two years.
"This role for this club is arguably one of the most exciting in soccer right now," Glick said in a statement. "I am thrilled to take up the responsibility and the challenge. After two years of laying the foundations for this inaugural season and beyond, we have an incredibly talented team both on and off the pitch. I very much look forward to playing my part in leading and supporting them as we embark on the next and most important stage of our development."
NYCFC has been criticized after its parent company allowed star midfielder Frank Lampard to stay with Manchester City through the end of the Premier League season. NYCFC announced last summer that Lampard and David Villa would be its most well-known players for its inaugural season.
Pernetti spent four years as Rutgers' athletic director before he was forced to resign in April 2013 for his handling of a scandal involving basketball coach Mike Rice, who verbally abused players. Pernetti was hired to run NYCFC's business operations that September.
"With college sports being my true passion and such a core part of my make-up, this awesome opportunity ... was impossible to refuse, particularly at this natural exit point as New York City FC embarks on the next stage of its development," Pernetti said. "It has been my honor and a true privilege to work with the best in the soccer business and to be part of building the foundation of New York City FC. I will be a fan for life."
Glick has been chief commercial officer of Manchester City since 2012. An American, he worked for minor league baseball teams from 1989-04, moved to the NBA from 2004-05 as vice president of marketing and team operations and the New Jersey Nets as chief marketing officer from 2006-07. He was chief executive officer of the English soccer club Derby from 2008-12.
Glick will report to Ferran Soriano, NYCFC's managing director and chief executive of its parent, City Football Group, and of Manchester City.
NYCFC will play at Yankee Stadium while it seeks to build its own stadium. The Yankees are a minority owner.
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