The Sporting KC president and CEO was given the league's top honor for business recognition
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Reid wins 2024 MLS Executive of the YearCredited with renovations to Children's Mercy ParkBrought capacity crows for SKCGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
Jake Reid helped make Kansas City into a soccer hub in 2024, and as a result, the Sporting KC President and CEO was named this year's Major League Soccer Executive of the Year award, the league announced Monday.
Reid accomplishments in 2024 included significant renovations to Children's Mercy Park, Sporting's home stadium, with the team adding new videoboards and LED sports lighting. The team has a new downtown office, and the business operations staff has doubled since his arrival in 2010. As a result of these changes and growth, Sporting KC was able to set some new milestones this year.
The club had the largest attended soccer match in North America, working with its NFL neighbor, the Kansas City Chiefs to host Lionel Messi's Inter Miami at Arrowhead Stadium with a capacity crowd of 72,610. The team also hosted its first Copa America match at Children's Mercy Park this summer and its first set of college football games, with Kansas Football playing two NCAA Division I football games at the stadium with sold out crowds.
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Sporting KC were the second-worst team in MLS's Western Conference last season, but it didn't stop the team from finding commercial success, which likely played a factor in Reid winning the award.
In addition to all of the club success mentioned, Reid also serves on the KC2026 Board for the FIFA World Cup, the Kansas City Sports Commission Board, and leads The Victory Project, which won Community Champion recognition. Reid’s efforts to strengthen Kansas City's status, in his view, as the "Soccer Capital of America" have drawn praise from civic leaders, team owners, and local organizations.
“Jake’s commitment to our community and his collaborative leadership have been instrumental in many history-making soccer milestones in our region, including our efforts as a Host City for the FIFA World Cup 26,” says Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026 in a statement. “I respect him as a leader and a friend and I’m thrilled to see this well-earned recognition from Major League Soccer.“
WHAT THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS SAID
“On behalf of the entire Kansas City Chiefs organization, I’d like to congratulate Jake Reid on being named Major League Soccer’s Executive of the Year,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said in a statement. “He has worked extremely hard to innovate for Sporting KC and their fans, promote and grow the game of soccer, and advocate for the greater Kansas City region. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jake for a number of years and am personally thrilled that he’s earned this well-deserved honor."
WHAT KANSAS CITY'S MAYOR SAID
"On behalf of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK, we congratulate Sporting KC President/CEO Jake Reid for being named Major League Soccer’s Executive of the Year," said Mayor/CEO Tyrone A. Garner in a statement. “This achievement is a true testament to Mr. Reid’s incredible dedication, vision, and leadership. His hard work and commitment to excellence have not only shaped the success of Sporting KC and our region, but also to the game of soccer itself. Once again, congratulations on this well-deserved honor."
