FC Cincinnati President Jeff Berding was one of the 11 team executives within the room. Bringing with him not only his experience in leading FCC to remarkable success this season, but also his time with the Cincinnati Bengals, Berding thought the level of experience within the committee was in evidence throughout the discussions, which included topics such as national sponsorships and broadcast partnerships.

“The experience that’s on the committee from the executives of many of the top clubs certainly shows the quality of the USL,” said Berding. “Many of the executives on the committee have experience from other professional sports leagues in the United States, and during the discussions those experiences – whether it be in MLS or the NBA or Major League Baseball or the NFL – were all drawn upon to help take the USL to the next level.”

Louisville City FC President Amanda Duffy, who had previously served as an executive within the USL, said the introduction of the new committee was evidence of the league’s strength, and how far the league had come in recent years.

“It just shows the growth [of the league], having been at USL myself and knowing that these types of conversations weren’t happening to the degree that they’re happening today,” Duffy said. “Today was a jumping off point of what we want to focus and concentrate on to get us in a position from a team standpoint and a league standpoint three to five years from now to make sure everyone’s in a winning, profitable situation on both sides. It was a good conversation, good dialogue to start with, and I look forward to us as a group continuing that conversation as we go forward.”