NASL Names Bill Peterson Newest Commissioner

The resurgent NASL will kick off its third season in the spring of 2013 with a new team, a new schedule format, and a new commissioner. The league announced this afternoon that they have hired former NFL Europe President and AEG Senior Vice President Bill Peterson as their new Commissioner effective immediately.

Peterson, who is no stranger to North American soccer, has worked closely with MLS teams when he was the Senior Vice President of AEG Sports and Managing Director of the Home Depot Center from 2000 to 2006.  Peterson helped oversee the management of numerous MLS teams and the development of soccer-specific stadiums across the country.

Commissioner Peterson has also worked closely with NFL Europe, he was the Football Operations Director for the Frankfurt Galaxy, General Manager of the Amsterdam Admirals, Director of Football Development for the league, Managing Director of NFL Europe and eventually become the President of the league.

Most recently Peterson provided advisory and event services to a variety of clients in Canada and the United States through his own firm Solve4. Peterson is also the Chairman of the USA Cycling Board of Directors and a member of the USPRO Cycling Board of Trustees and served briefly as COO of the United Football League (UFL).

“Bill’s diverse breadth of management experience in the US and abroad at governing bodies, leagues, teams, stadia and one of the leading hospitality companies gives him the ability to lead by example and align everyone’s interests in order to achieve our individual and collective goals,” commented Chairman of the NASL Board of Governors Aaron Davidson. “With Commissioner Peterson, we look forward to accelerating the positive financial results of our existing teams and continuing to usher in new teams in strategic markets with owners who embrace our vision and have the wherewithal to succeed at the highest possible level.”

“There is an opportunity here to cement the NASL as a league that can thrive and expand while providing compelling soccer for the game’s fans,” said newly named Commissioner Peterson. “The roots of the NASL triggered a soccer explosion in North American in the 1970s and I am delighted to be leading this new chapter as we take the league and its teams forward into an exciting future.”

Long term, Peterson not only wants to grow the league but wants to ensure the NASL stays strong and successful and that they are helping to grow the game in North America.

“What you will see in 2-3 years is a solid NASL,” said Commissioner Peterson. “I’m going to take this great product that’s been built and take it to another level.”

During the teleconference, Commissioner Peterson spoke briefly on some of the issues he will take on and make better, “very first thing is putting more efforts and resources into promoting the game in the local markets,” said Peterson.

Commissioner Peterson spoke briefly about the new schedule the NASL will use starting in the 2013 season, “I like the new format,” said Peterson. “This is the format most leagues around the world uses.”

“This format helps the league and its teams in three ways: it helps with player acquisitions, it helps teams schedule friendly matches with other teams from around the world, and will also change the game on and off the field as it will put more pressure on teams to win games since there are two halves,” explained Commissioner Peterson.

The hiring of Peterson as the newest NASL Commissioner draws a correlation between himself and Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber, who also worked with the NFL in Europe before taking over the reins of MLS. “Don’s a great person and a great commissioner,” Peterson said. “I’ve worked for him and with him and we’ve had a good relationship now for 15 years. That will continue for sure.”