Mark Noonan

Mark Noonan
2nd commissioner of the Canadian Premier League
Incumbent
Assumed office
September 1, 2022
Preceded byDavid Clanachan
Personal details
Born
Mark David Noonan

1965 (age 59–60)
Westport, Connecticut, U.S.[1]
RelativesMike Noonan (brother)
Alma materDuke University

Mark Noonan (born 1965) is an American sports executive who serves as commissioner of the Canadian Premier League (CPL) and CEO of Canada Soccer Business. Previously Noonan held marketing executive positions with the United States Soccer Federation and Major League Soccer as well as serving as CEO of Accra Hearts of Oak, a Ghanaian soccer club.[2] Noonan attended Duke University and was a member of the Blue Devils' 1986 national championship winning soccer team.[3]

Professional career

In the late 1990s, Mark Noonan was the chief marketing officer of the United States Soccer Federation.[4] During that time, the United States hosted the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup which set various records for attendance.[5] Noonan later worked for Major League Soccer during a period of volatility for the league. Due to financial losses, MLS contracted by two teams in 2002 and reorganized the league into two conferences.[6] In 2005, Noonan founded FocalSport – a sports and entertainment agency.[1]

In 2018, Noonan became CEO of Accra Hearts of Oak S.C. of the Ghana Premier League.[7] The one-time CAF Champions League winning club had struggled on the field in the 2010s and lacked a permanent training facility. During his tenure, Noonan was responsible for the rebranding of the club's crest and securing a kit sponsorship deal with Umbro.[8] In 2019, Noonan left his position after only one year.

Canadian Premier League

On August 25, 2022, the Canadian Premier League announced that Mark Noonan would be the league's next commissioner, replacing David Clanachan who had resigned in January.[9] Noonan began his term on September 1 as both CPL commissioner and CEO of Canada Soccer Business. He plans to grow the existing men's league and launch a women's league before the 2026 FIFA World Cup which will be co-hosted by Canada.[10]

On November 21, 2022, Mark Noonan announced that FC Edmonton would not be returning to play in 2023 and that the operating rights had been revoked from the team's owner.[11] FC Edmonton became the first CPL team to cease operations which they did after years of struggles on and off the pitch.

The CPL voluntarily recognized the Professional Footballers Association of Canada as the labor union for CPL players on December 20, 2022.[12] PFA Canada had been seeking recognition since their formation in 2020.[13]

References

  1. ^ a b Van Diest, Derek (August 25, 2022). "Canadian Premier League name Mark Noonan new commissioner". Toronto Sun. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  2. ^ "New CPL boss Mark Noonan has a lot on his plate". thestar.com. August 25, 2022.
  3. ^ "Duke Men's Soccer Media Guide 2019" (PDF). Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  4. ^ O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (August 25, 2022). "Q&A with CPL Commissioner Mark Noonan: 'I'm totally all in'". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  5. ^ "The 1999 gamble that paid off". FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. February 21, 2019. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
  6. ^ "Fusion and Mutiny fold". BBC News. January 9, 2002. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  7. ^ "Noonan outlines Hearts of Oak vision". ESPN.com. May 8, 2018. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  8. ^ McCormick, Bret (January 27, 2020). "U.S. soccer executive finds success, corruption — and lifelong friends". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  9. ^ Jacques, John (August 25, 2022). "Mark Noonan Named New CPL Commissioner". Northern Tribune. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  10. ^ Kloke, Joshua (August 25, 2022). "Q&A: New CPL Commissioner Mark Noonan on expansion, a women's league and more". The Athletic. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  11. ^ "Canadian Premier League terminates Fath Sports' right to operate FC Edmonton". Canadian Premier League. November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  12. ^ "Canadian Premier League voluntarily recognizes new players' association". Sportsnet.ca. Canadian Press. December 20, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  13. ^ Jacques, John (April 15, 2020). "A Union For CPL Players Has Arrived". Northern Tribune. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
Sporting positions
Preceded by Commissioner of the Canadian Premier League
2022–present 		Incumbent