In what has already been an eventful off-season prior to start of their first season, New York City made another dramatic move with the appointment of Tom Glick as the President of the club. It was also announced that Chief Business Officer Tim Pernetti was stepping down in order to become the President of Multimedia for IMG’s college business which is the America’s biggest sports marketing company.

As Glick takes over responsibility for overseeing all the various facets of the club on a daily basis, the timing of this move has left some fans and pundits questioning the stability of New York City. Making a change with huge proportions right before the start of the inaugural season will be considered a sign of a club that is in a state of flux.

Glick was last with Manchester City which is only going to enhance perceptions that the “parent club” is only taking more control of New York City by putting in one of their own. After the Lampardgate controversy, it’s fair to say that some are predisposed to seeing almost anything New York City does with a negative spin.

Yet, for every disparaging outlook, there’s a positive one and having Glick could be a superb move for the club.

When looking over Glick’s resume, one can only be amazed at the large number of positions he’s handled. Over the past 25 years, Glick has been involved with creating ideal fan experiences in baseball, basketball, and soccer venues.

New York City Vice Chairman Marty Edelman made a key point about how Glick’s diverse background is instrumental for taking the club forward. “In Tom, we have a leader with significant experience in soccer as well as in US Sports and Sports business, and one who is perfectly equipped to help the Club fulfill its full potential both on and off the field,” said Edelman.

Glick is an experienced sports executive that understands how to engage American fans while also possessing a thorough background in European soccer. When it comes to running a football club, Glick represents the best of both worlds in terms of comprehending the American psyche and the City Football Group model.

Glick understands American sports culture through his years with Minor League baseball and basketball. Besides being qualified with managing American sports clubs, Glick even has experience connecting with fans on a league-wide level after being the Marketing and Team Business Operations vice president for the NBA Headquarters.

Glick was also the Chief Marketing Officer for the New Jersey Nets which gives him some familiarity with the Tri-State area. His involvement with the Nets perhaps also made him appealing to the New York Yankees considering the connection shared by the two franchises.

Having a chief executive that is savvy with not only American but also New York sports culture could be vital for the long-term relationship between New York City FC and its supporters. The club has been criticized for being ignorant to the sensitivities of American sports fans after the controversies surrounding the home jersey and the Lampard contract debacle.

The home jersey was particularly disappointing because it created a perception that New York City is just pushing Manchester City’s brand identity which New Yorkers will just take to. In order for New York City to be successful, they need to create a singular identity that is adapted to American sports culture. Therefore, it’s important for an organization operated by a foreign ownership group to have someone who is aware of what appeals to New York fans.

Along with having an executive that is an expert at creating a pleasing atmosphere for American fans of various sports, Glick has an impressive background in European soccer. In the last few years, Glick was the CEO of Derby County FC, the Chief Commercial and Marketing Officer for Manchester City, and the Managing Director of City Football Marketing.

Not only does Glick understand how to run a soccer franchise, he also knows how to market a club associated with City Football Group’s brand. Glick further developed the advertising and sponsorship potential of City Football Group which is vital for the financial state of any professional sports franchise. During his tenure, Manchester City’s profits dramatically increased as the club is one of the most lucrative in the world.

Glick can help the club move forward by building the team’s commercial revenue and creating a positive environment that appeals to New York supporters.