Austin FC today announced that Club President Andy Loughnane has been named Chief Executive Officer. In his new role, Loughnane will assume day-to-day operational oversight of both Business Operations and Soccer Operations for Austin FC, creating a unified executive leadership structure across the Club.
Austin FC Founder and Majority Owner Anthony Precourt will assume the title of Chairman, Majority Owner and Founder and will continue to serve as Austin FC’s Governor on Major League Soccer's Board of Governors. Precourt has served as the Club's Chief Executive Officer since its inception, leading Austin FC through its establishment as Major League Soccer's 27th club and its launch as Austin's first major league professional sports team. As Chairman, Precourt will remain actively engaged in the Club's long-term strategy and major organizational decisions while Loughnane assumes responsibility for all aspects of the Club's day-to-day business and soccer operations.
Loughnane, who was named MLS Executive of the Year in 2022, has served as President of Austin FC since the Club's formation in January 2019 and has overseen all aspects of the Club's business operations throughout its launch and first six seasons. Under Loughnane’s leadership, Austin FC completed the development and opening of Q2 Stadium and St. David's Performance Center ahead of the Club's inaugural season in 2021 and has continued to establish itself among Major League Soccer's leading clubs across commercial and community platforms.
"I'm proud to have Andy take on this elevated leadership role with Austin FC. He has earned these broadened responsibilities, and the timing is right as the Club reorganizes its leadership team and organizational structure," said Precourt. "Andy is an exceptional culture builder, strategic thinker, and business operator, and he has earned the full trust and confidence of both me and the rest of the Austin FC ownership group to lead our Club forward.”
“I've had the privilege of working alongside Anthony from the earliest days of this Club, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity he gave me to help him and the Ownership group build Austin FC from the ground up,” said Loughnane. “I'm exceptionally proud of what our staff has accomplished together thus far, and we know there is much more we want to achieve for our fans, our community, and our Club. I look forward to this next chapter and the work ahead as we pursue our highest ambitions.”
As part of the newly announced leadership structure, the Club’s next appointed Sporting Director will serve as Austin FC’s Chief Soccer Officer and will oversee all functions of Soccer Operations, including roster construction and the Club’s player development pathway, and will report directly to Loughnane. The Club's ongoing search for its next Sporting Director continues collaboratively among Precourt, Loughnane, and Austin FC Alternate Governor Matt Hulsizer alongside Excel Search & Advisory.
Loughnane joined Austin FC at its inception after serving as President of Business Operations for Columbus Crew from 2014 through 2018. Loughnane’s sports and entertainment career spans three major North American professional sports leagues, including previous leadership and commercial roles with the NBA's Detroit Pistons and NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings. In addition to leading Austin FC, Loughnane is active in the Austin community where he presently serves as a Board Member of Visit Austin, Austin Sports Commission, and 4ATX Foundation.
