CAA alumnus Courtney Carter joins Seattle’s MLS and NWLS teams as CRO

CAA and ESPN alumnus Courtney Carter has been named Chief Revenue Officer for Seattle’s professional soccer teams, Sounders FC and Reign FC.

Carter’s appointment follows a transaction completed last month and funded by an investment from private equity giant Carlyle, which brought the women’s soccer team Seattle Reign FC under the same umbrella as the men’s soccer team Seattle Sounders FC. The deal reflects two major trends in American sports: the growing demand for professional soccer and women’s sports in particular. The Sounders FC are affiliated with Major League Soccer, while Reign FC is affiliated with the National Women’s Soccer League.

Carter’s background in sports marketing and branding is a natural fit with the Sounders and Reign ownership group’s goal to vastly expand business partnerships and ticket sales and increase business opportunities at the club’s Providence Swedish Performance Center & Clubhouse in Renton, Washington. grew up in the Portland, Oregon area, so she’s no stranger to the Pacific Northwest, plus Carter was a standout soccer player during her time at Oregon State University.

“Courtney’s recruitment to the Pacific Northwest reflects the extraordinary opportunities we have as an organization right now,” said Hugh Weber, president of operations for Sounders and Reign. “As Chief Revenue Officer at Sounders FC and Reign FC, along with our broader business enterprise, Courtney possesses a collection of attributes that make her uniquely qualified to lead our efforts. Her extensive experience building high-growth organizations, her passion for positive outcomes for our fans, partners and community, along with her roots in our region and sport, make me incredibly excited that she is committed to our mission.”

Carter most recently led the Carter Media Group shingle, which focused on media and brand management for a range of clients. Previously, Carter was an agent in CAA’s TV, digital and brand partnerships group, where she worked on packaging and selling branded content programs and campaigns across multiple platforms. Earlier in her career, Carter served as director of sports management and branded content at ESPN. She also worked for Madison Square Garden and Major League Soccer/Soccer United Marketing.

“Returning to the Pacific Northwest is a bit of a full circle, because that’s where I fell in love with the game and learned so many life lessons along the way,” Carter said. “This is an extraordinary moment in time when sport, and in particular the global game of football, is at the center of culture. There is nothing more powerful than the ability to unite through sport and drive movements towards a brighter and inspiring future. I can’t wait to be part of these two historic championship clubs and their dedicated communities.”