The Carolina RailHawks will host three key professional soccer leaders and facilitate an open discussion on the future of professional soccer in the Triangle. Mark Abbott, President of Major League Soccer and key decision maker on the MLS Expansion Committee, Aaron Davidson, Vice-President of Traffic Sports (RailHawks Owners), and David Downs, Commissioner of the North American Soccer League, will be participating. The events will take place on Thursday, April 12th.
The day will kick off with a Fan Forum at Backyard Bistro. The RailHawks will be hosting a pre-event tent party outside the restaurant at noon with lunch specials featuring Backyard Bistro’s award winning North Carolina Bar-B-Que. The Fan Forum, which will be open to the public, will begin at 1:00 p.m. and give fans of the beautiful game the opportunity to ask questions and share their opinions with these key leaders. The Fan Forum will be followed by an invite-only reception with business, community and soccer leaders. The day will conclude with a media roundtable discussion and opportunities for 1-on-1 interviews at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Mark Abbott is the architect of the MLS business plan and was the first employee of MLS in 1993. As President, Abbott oversees all business operations for MLS and Soccer United Marketing. Abbott, along with Commissioner Don Garber, serves as MLS’ primary contact for discussions with potential investors and expansion cities.
Aaron Davidson is the Vice-President of Traffic Sports, a sports conglomerate headquartered in Brazil with US headquarters in Miami, Florida. In January 2011 Traffic became the owner of the Carolina RailHawks. Davidson has been an instrumental figure in the launching of the NASL as the United States sole second division professional league and its sanctioning approval from the US Soccer Federation.
Commissioner David Downs is one of the key drivers for the growth of the NASL, overseeing the day-to-day operations and leading the league’s expansion. Prior to joining the NASL, Downs served as the Executive Director for the USA Bid Committee in US Soccer’s bid for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup. As a 30 year executive in the broadcast industry with ABC Sports and Univision Communications, Downs was a key figure in the successful negotiations for the U.S. television rights for the World Cup tournaments from 1994 through 2014.
“It is timely and important to spark discussions between the Triangle business community, passionate fans of soccer, media and these key leaders of professional soccer. This is a unique opportunity where fans can show their passion, ask questions and have their voice heard as it relates to the future,” said RailHawks President Curt Johnson. “We are thrilled to have Mark Abbott, Aaron Davidson, and David Downs making a visit to the Triangle.”
The RailHawks open their 2012 NASL season on the road visiting the Minnesota Stars on April 7th. The game will be broadcast live on www.CarolinaRailHawks.com. The 2012 Home Opener will kick off on April 14th when Atlanta comes to the Triangle to face the RailHawks at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets for the match, as well as season tickets, are available online at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com or at the Cruizers Box office. For information call 919-459-8144 or by email at Tickets@CarolinaRailHawks.com.
The Carolina RailHawks will host three key professional soccer leaders and facilitate an open discussion on the future of professional soccer in the Triangle. Mark Abbott, President of Major League Soccer and key decision maker on the MLS Expansion Committee, Aaron Davidson, Vice-President of Traffic Sports (RailHawks Owners), and David Downs, Commissioner of the North American Soccer League, will be participating. The events will take place on Thursday, April 12th.
The day will kick off with a Fan Forum at Backyard Bistro. The RailHawks will be hosting a pre-event tent party outside the restaurant at noon with lunch specials featuring Backyard Bistro’s award winning North Carolina Bar-B-Que. The Fan Forum, which will be open to the public, will begin at 1:00 p.m. and give fans of the beautiful game the opportunity to ask questions and share their opinions with these key leaders. The Fan Forum will be followed by an invite-only reception with business, community and soccer leaders. The day will conclude with a media roundtable discussion and opportunities for 1-on-1 interviews at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Mark Abbott is the architect of the MLS business plan and was the first employee of MLS in 1993. As President, Abbott oversees all business operations for MLS and Soccer United Marketing. Abbott, along with Commissioner Don Garber, serves as MLS’ primary contact for discussions with potential investors and expansion cities.
Aaron Davidson is the Vice-President of Traffic Sports, a sports conglomerate headquartered in Brazil with US headquarters in Miami, Florida. In January 2011 Traffic became the owner of the Carolina RailHawks. Davidson has been an instrumental figure in the launching of the NASL as the United States sole second division professional league and its sanctioning approval from the US Soccer Federation.
Commissioner David Downs is one of the key drivers for the growth of the NASL, overseeing the day-to-day operations and leading the league’s expansion. Prior to joining the NASL, Downs served as the Executive Director for the USA Bid Committee in US Soccer’s bid for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup. As a 30 year executive in the broadcast industry with ABC Sports and Univision Communications, Downs was a key figure in the successful negotiations for the U.S. television rights for the World Cup tournaments from 1994 through 2014.
“It is timely and important to spark discussions between the Triangle business community, passionate fans of soccer, media and these key leaders of professional soccer. This is a unique opportunity where fans can show their passion, ask questions and have their voice heard as it relates to the future,” said RailHawks President Curt Johnson. “We are thrilled to have Mark Abbott, Aaron Davidson, and David Downs making a visit to the Triangle.”
The RailHawks open their 2012 NASL season on the road visiting the Minnesota Stars on April 7th. The game will be broadcast live on www.CarolinaRailHawks.com. The 2012 Home Opener will kick off on April 14th when Atlanta comes to the Triangle to face the RailHawks at WakeMed Soccer Park. Tickets for the match, as well as season tickets, are available online at www.CarolinaRailHawks.com or at the Cruizers Box office. For information call 919-459-8144 or by email at Tickets@CarolinaRailHawks.com.
