August 20, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Las Vegas Lights FC News Release
Las Vegas, NV – Las Vegas Lights FC today announced that the club has hired experienced sports executive Shawn McIntosh as the club’s Chief Executive Officer. McIntosh, who will oversee all business operations with Lights FC, joins the organization from Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC where he served as Chief Fan Officer.
Reporting directly into Chairman Jose Bautista, McIntosh is slated to move to Las Vegas in mid-September with his family.
“We are pleased to welcome Shawn McIntosh as our CEO of Las Vegas Lights FC,” said Las Vegas Lights FC Chairman Jose Bautista. “Shawn’s experience across sports business operations and his dedication to a supporter-first culture makes him a fantastic fit for this role. We are excited for him to begin as he brings all the necessary traits to this role as CEO of Las Vegas Lights FC: a passion for soccer, leadership expertise within sports organizations and relevant experience in the Las Vegas market itself.”
The Lights have experienced an ongoing, dramatic transformation since Chairman Jose Bautista took the reins of Lights FC in January of this year. He quickly added key soccer operations leadership in Sporting Director Gianleonardo Neglia and Head Coach Dennis Sanchez, building an entire roster of players not under contract in 2023. The sporting focus has been on delivering attractive soccer for fans with a team that can compete now and in the future. Entering late August, The Lights are doing just that – in the playoff hunt down the stretch and a first-ever postseason spot in reach. The on-field success has been fueled by the current squad holding the highest regular-season winning percentage in its existence to date.
McIntosh is charged with a similar task: building and sustaining championship-level business operations. His role will be centered in re-engaging the club’s business relationships across supporters, corporate partners, community groups, youth soccer organizations and more – all with the same objective in mind of elevating the fan experience for a market that has demonstrated a sizable appetite for the global game.
“I am excited to join Las Vegas Lights FC during a transformational chapter in the club’s history,” said McIntosh. “Since Mr. Bautista purchased the team earlier this year, his vision and ambition have been clear. A great city like Las Vegas deserves to have a thriving professional soccer club to call…