INVESTOR RICHIE GRAHAM LAUNCHES AMERICAN SOCCER FOCUSED INVESTMENT FIRM, FOR SOCCER VENTURES, LED BY FORMER EXECUTIVES FROM ADIDAS, COPA90, ESPN, AND U.S. SOCCER

Furthering over $50 million dollar commitment to advance soccer in America.

PHILADELPHIA - November 21, 2019 - Today, Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union investor Richie Graham has announced the formation and launch of​ For Soccer Ventures​ – an investment ​firm ​focused​ ​on the growth and long-term development of American soccer. Graham has been one of the most active supporters of the American soccer community over the past decade, ​committing over $50 million dollars to the sport, with an emphasis on domestic player development through his investment in Philadelphia Union’s youth academy, his tournament and league property holdings, and his philanthropic support of the industry-first soccer high school, the non-profit YSC Academy.

For Soccer Ventures will be comprised of two key platforms: The Soccer Collective​ is a new media house leading a collaborative movement to celebrate American soccer culture and fan experiences through storytelling, experiences and brand content development. ​The Soccer Alliance will expand Graham’s existing network of soccer properties with a focus on youth clubs, leagues and tournaments with the objective of improving the on-field experience for players and the American soccer family. 

“With the FIFA World Cup and Olympics coming to the U.S. in 2026 and 2028, there has never been a better time to double down on our commitment to advance American soccer forward.” Graham stated, “Now is the time to invest with the future of American soccer in mind, and I am very excited to bring together a passionate executive team with deep roots and experiences within the American soccer ecosystem to lead this charge. The Soccer Alliance and The Soccer Collective represents our relentless commitment to both fuel and showcase the exciting growth of soccer in America.”

To lead the new company, Graham has hired an experienced team of soccer executives, including:

• Ryan Mooney (Managing Director, For Soccer Ventures): ​former Chief Soccer Officer at U.S. Soccer;
• ​John Parker (Managing Director, For Soccer Ventures) ​: former Director of Strategy for Striker Partners’ soccer investments;
• Dr. Nooha Ahmed-Lee (Director of Education, For Soccer Ventures): Head of School, YSC Academy;
• Aaron Maines​ (GM, The Soccer Alliance): ​ former Head of Sports Marketing at adidas soccer and Wasserman executive;
• Marc Horine (Chief Business Officer, The Soccer Collective) ​: former ESPN executive and COPA90 US General Manager;
• ​Heath Pearce​ (Chief Brand Officer, The Soccer Collective): former U.S. Men’s National Team player and Lead Creative and Host at COPA90 US;
• Burke Cherrie (Chief Content/Strategy Officer, The Soccer Collective) ​: award-winning filmmaker and former Editorial Director at COPA90 US.

“With the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics as our guiding stars, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to win the hearts and minds of players, parents and fans across the country,” said Ryan Mooney, Managing Director of For Soccer Ventures. “Our goal is simple, to invest in the game and unify the fragmented American soccer experience both on and off the field of play.”

John Parker added, “We’ve partnered with the sectors’ best operators, who not only have professional expertise in the space, but bring authenticity and a personal passion for the sport to this new venture. We’re from soccer, for soccer, and we’re investing in American soccer to ensure the growth of the game we love.”

About: The Soccer Collective​ is a multi-platform media company creating and publishing original audio/video content and producing experiences for a distinctly American soccer audience. A full-service, data-driven, in-house agency will focus on creating authentic connections with brands and soccer audiences through unparalleled creativity, inclusive storytelling, strategy, production, distribution and game changing data/research capabilities. The Soccer Collective will also manage a network of the most influential soccer media brands serving a wide-range of audiences from Latino-American fans to the women’s soccer community.

About: The Soccer Alliance​ will extend Graham’s legacy holdings nationally through a network of best-in-class operators of clubs, leagues and tournaments across the US leveraging data and education to enhance the on-field experience for players, families, and coaches. The Soccer Alliance will increase accessibility and inclusivity for the American soccer family.

The Soccer Collective will launch across social media channels and OTT platforms in early 2020 and officially kicks off today at Soccerex U.S.A. in Miami, an event that has brought together leaders in the global soccer industry for over twenty years.

For more information, please visit forsoccerventures.com.

Contact:

FOR SOCCER VENTURES 

John Parker

Managing Director 

jparker@playmakersgroup.com 

404-405-4754

About for Soccer Ventures

Formerly known as Playmakers Group, ​For Soccer Ventures ​is the investment firm managing Rich Graham’s investments and philanthropic efforts in soccer. Current properties and investments include an investment in Philadelphia Union, YSC Academy, YSC Sports, APL Leagues and Tournaments, The Soccer Collective, and The Soccer Alliance.