Soccer: Local group aims to bring USL franchise to New Orleans by 2025

TAMPA, Fla. & NEW ORLEANS – The United Soccer League today announced it has entered an exclusive partnership with USL NOLA, a group dedicated to bringing a professional soccer club to Greater New Orleans with the intent to launch a USL Championship men’s team by 2025 and a USL Super League women’s team.

Leading USL NOLA are principals Warren Smith and Jamie Guin, who collectively have amassed an impressive list of success stories in the soccer and sports industry. Smith and Guin have spent the past six months meeting with community and soccer leaders while identifying potential stadium solutions for its home matches. In the weeks ahead, the group looks to gather community feedback on club identity, possible stadium locations, matchday experience and more.

“It’s no secret that New Orleans is primed, ready, and probably overdue for professional soccer,” said USL COO and Chief Real Estate Officer Justin Papadakis. “It’s a global destination with unmatched heritage, culture, and local pride – qualities that perfectly match a community-focused USL Championship club. Warren Smith and Jamie Guin are extraordinary, proven club builders, and we are excited to pursue their vision with USL NOLA and the people of New Orleans.”

Smith has co-founded numerous professional sports teams and led Sacramento Republic FC and San Diego Loyal SC through their launches and first seasons in the USL Championship. Under Smith’s helm, Republic FC captured worldwide attention for breaking USL Championship regular-season attendance and winning the USL Cup in its inaugural season. At Loyal SC, Smith helped the club establish its unwavering commitment to giving back to San Diego, launching numerous award-winning initiatives to make a difference on and off the pitch.

“There is no better time than now to be a soccer fan in the United States,” said Smith. “As North America gears up to host the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, I am thrilled to help NOLA create a club that reflects and represents the city while furthering gender equity in sports. In my short time here, I have learned how passionate people are about this community, and I look forward to working with them to create something unique and special that they can love as their own.”

Guin is a native New Orleanian and sports industry veteran with deep ties to the region. Guin began his sports career in the NBA with the New Orleans Hornets and Pelicans and went on to play a leading commercial leadership role in soccer projects such as Sporting Kansas City, LAFC and Columbus Crew in MLS. In addition to his MLS body of work, Guin was part of the executive commercial leadership team for two of the NFL’s recent West Coast projects such as the LA Rams and LA Chargers SoFi Stadium project and the Las Vegas Raiders Allegiant Stadium project.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of the efforts to bring professional soccer to the Crescent City,” said Guin. “As someone who has been humbled and fortunate to grow up in the Gulf South region and work in the professional sports industry my entire career, this project inspires me personally and professionally.”

USL NOLA is partnering with Greater New Orleans, Inc., the regional economic development organization, to build synergies with the local business community and market.

“Modern soccer came to America via New Orleans in the 1850s, so it is fitting and exciting that we now have the chance to host a professional team from the USL Championship league,” said Michael Hecht, President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc. “As with our other pro teams, this new franchise will add to the national profile and heft of Greater New Orleans. The fact that the effort is being led by a team with a history of success across the country, and with the support of GNO, Inc. and the community, makes us very optimistic about its potential for success.”

Today USL NOLA will launch an extensive outreach campaign to gather community input from New Orleanians to learn and guide the club in its efforts. USL NOLA intends to co-create the club with the community to ensure the organization embodies the Greater New Orleans’ lively spirit and energy. A series of fan engagement sessions hosted by USL NOLA will play a vital role in the club’s development. Fans can participate in an initial USL NOLA survey or sign up for email updates at www.uslnola.com.

Learn more about USL NOLA by following @USLNOLA on Instagram, Twitter, and online at www.uslnola.com.

LSED BOARD CHAIRMAN KYLE M. FRANCE COMMENTS ON USL SOCCER TARGETING NEW ORLEANS METRO FOR EXPANSION TEAM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(July 14, 2022-New Orleans, LA)

“Since the departure of the Baby Cakes, the LSED, in association with Jefferson Parish leaders, have been evaluating ways to expand the stadium to include High School sports, soccer, concerts, festivals, in addition to Nola Gold Rugby and the other events that take place at the facility now. There have been ongoing discussions with representatives of the USL soccer league for some time, as it pertains to the Shrine on Airline. We are excited to learn that the USL has targeted the New Orleans market for expansion of their league, and we look forward to continuing those discussions. The Shrine on Airline is a significant community asset to Jefferson Parish and the state, and we plan to continue exploring options for its improvement with the parish.”

Kyle M. France
Chairman, Louisiana Stadium & Exposition District