San Jose Earthquakes President Dave Kaval and General Manager John Doyle travelled to London this past week for the Fifth Annual Leaders in Football Summit, hosted by Chelsea FC. The Leaders in Football Summit is an invite-only, two-day soccer conference that brings together the top CEOs and director-level individuals from the world of sport. Kaval and Doyle were able to exchange ideas with some of the top sporting CEOs and presidents, as well as former professional players.
Notable speakers at this year’s event included: Ivan Gazidis, Chief Executive Officer of Arsenal FC, Mark Waller, Chief Marketing Officer of the NFL, Angel Maria Villar Llona, President of the Spanish Football Federation, and Ian Ayre, Managing Director of Liverpool FC. Former Liverpool FC and England national team star, Michael Owen, also addressed participants.
Major League Soccer was well represented at the event. MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Portland Timber’s Owner Merrit Paulson, and Sporting Kansas City’s Owner and Chief Executive
Officer Rob Heinneman all spoke.
Participants engaged in panel discussions, workshops, and listened to keynote speakers over the two days. Invitees were also treated to see local matches. Kaval and Doyle attended League Two AFC Wimbledon’s 2-1 loss against Cheltenham as well as England’s 5-0 win against San Marino in World Cup Qualifying at the historic Wembley Stadium.
