Chris Wright participated in Minnesota United’s pitch for a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in 2014. Now he is the Loons’ first CEO, the club announced Monday.

Wright, who served as president for the Timberwolves and Lynx for 13 seasons and has been with the Wolves for 26 years, will oversee both the business and sporting operations for United. He mentioned his experience with start-ups during the Wolves’ second NBA season and helping the three-time WNBA champion Lynx get off the ground in 1999.

United majority owner Bill McGuire said an important element in Wright’s hire was keeping a local leader within the community.

“(He) is someone that brings learning and experiences, ups and downs, that we have not yet seen,” he said. “…Therefore, great, great attributes for us as we move forward.”

Wright called the transition a “legacy play” to return to his soccer roots yet “bittersweet” because of his admiration for Wolves and Lynx owner Glen Taylor, also a United minority owner. Wright said he tried to convince Taylor to buy a soccer club about 12 years ago.

Wright is a former goalkeeper and coach from England who worked as general manager for the Minnesota Strikers of the Major Indoor Soccer League in 1986-87. He also has set up programming for the National Sports Center in Blaine, site of the Loons’ training grounds.

“I know what it’s like to be a blue-collar guy that is trying to break in,” Wright said.

Wright, who will join United on Oct. 6, sees his current role in overseeing the $150 million renovation of Target Center as a boon when he comes to work on the construction of the Loons’ $200 million Allianz Field in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood, which is set to open in March 2019.

“This was made in heaven for me,” Wright said. His goals are helping coach Adrian Heath, winning an MLS Cup, making Allianz Field “the best fan experience in the Twin Cities” and turning United into a profitable business.

Taylor called Wright an “extraordinary leader.”

“Given his deep experience in helping guide our franchises over the past 26 years, he is well-equipped to lead the new MLS franchise,” Taylor said in a statement. “With his lifelong passion for ‘the world’s game,’ it is fitting that Chris’s path has brought him back to the sport where his journey began.”

EXPLORING EXTENTIONS

Minnesota United is exploring contract extensions for defender Brent Kallman and midfielder Ibson, sources told the Pioneer Press.

Ibson has five assists in 25 games after making the jump up from the club’s time as a North American Soccer League team. Heath has often called the Brazilian one of the best midfielders in MLS. Kallman, a Woodbury native also promoted from the NASL era, has played in 21 games for the Loons this season. Heath has said Kallman has the potential to be one of the league’s best center backs.

Ibson is earning $210,000 this season, while Kallman’s compensation is near the MLS minimum of $68,000, according to MLS salary figures.

The Loons also are looking to rework defender Francisco Calvo’s contract, a source said. The Costa Rican center back, who has often paired with Kallman, is making $330,000 this season.

BRIEFLY

In the 62nd minute of Wednesday’s 3-0 loss at Vancouver, Kallman left the game with a piercing pain in his hip and did not play in Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Montreal. Kallman has dealt with knee and groin injuries already this season. … Sporting director Manny Lagos is scouting in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, while director of player personnel Amos Magee is in Belgium, the club said. … McGuire said United is working on a sponsorship deal with Allina Health, a not-for-profit company based in Minneapolis.