TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League Tuesday announced it had hired Amanda Vandervort as the first president of the USL Super League.
The professional second division women’s soccer league scheduled to kick off in 2023.
An innovative sports executive with more than 20 years of experience across all levels of women’s and men’s soccer, Vandervort brings business acumen, leadership skills and industry relationships to the USL Super League.
“We are delighted to welcome Amanda to the USL executive team as USL Super League President,” USL CEO Alec Papadakis said in a statement. “Amanda is one of the most accomplished soccer executives in the United States. Her expertise includes global women’s soccer matters, partnerships, marketing, league expansion, club strategy, grassroots initiatives, and business development. Just as importantly, Amanda’s perspective as a former player and coach aligns with the culture of our organization and that of our other senior executives.”
As league president, Vandervort will lead all aspects of USL’s distinct youth-to-professional women’s soccer pathway, creating thousands of opportunities for players, fans, coaches and staff in the women’s game. Vandervort will work with communities, players, clubs and owners to build the USL Super League into a financially sustainable, globally recognized sports entity.
“It’s such an exciting privilege to be in this position,” Vandervort said in a statement. “Together we’ll build a competitive environment for elite women players, coaches and referees at the professional level. We’ll create opportunities for fans to experience the women’s game in their local communities and provide value to those investing in this high-growth platform. I’m excited to be helping the USL realize the Super League’s potential and drive the women’s game forward.”
Vandervort joins USL after serving as Chief Women’s Football Officer of FIFPRO, the global player’s association, where she directed strategy, policy, and stakeholder relations. She was a prominent spokesperson on global women’s football matters and she co-authored the 2020 Raising Our Game Report, which placed player rights and conditions at the center of an overview on the growing women’s football industry.
Prior to joining FIFPRO, Amanda worked at Major League Soccer as vice president of CRM and Social Media and then as vice president of Fan Engagement. In these roles, Amanda developed the league’s social media roadmap and drove significant growth in fans, followers, and consumer data records. She led expansion club onboarding and consulted with club leaders on fan growth, business development, and strategic planning.
During her time at MLS, Vandervort also served as a Women’s Football Development Consultant for FIFA. In 2016, Vandervort was the fifth female President of United Soccer Coaches, the largest non-profit coaches’ association in the world, and earned Sports Business Journal Game Changer recognition.
