Brett Luy |
Rhode Island FC president
1. What is your soccer background? You’re 35. Have you held an executive position like this before? I’ve spent my entire career – in some form or another – working in high-level soccer. I was an executive vice president with [the United Soccer League] where I was responsible for a big part of the league’s growth and development. That experience with the league has given me an opportunity to build a global network within the soccer industry, which will undoubtedly help us recruit.
2. You’re starting from scratch with a new team and a new taxpayer-aided $124 million soccer stadium that has its share of naysayers. What about this situation appealed to you? I think it’s important to recognize that the Tidewater [Landing] development is going to be game changing for Pawtucket. The amount of private investment going into that project is unprecedented in recent Rhode Island history. I am confident that Rhode Islanders are going to see the Tidewater stadium as a community living room and that they’ll take full advantage of everything it will offer. That full experience is part of what drew me to this position. Rhode Island FC is going to be at the center of a community revitalization and we’re going to be a real pillar for civic pride.
3. What do you, as team president, have to do to ensure that the team remains viable and continues to fill seats at this stadium? That starts with two things. First, we need to continue to be firmly grounded in the community. We want every Rhode Islander to feel connected to this team. Second, we need to stay committed to putting a great team on the pitch. The amount of interest we’ve received from top-level coaching talent and from players and agents since we launched gives me great confidence that we’ll be a top club starting with our first match.
4. Rhode Island FC has received deposits for about 3,600 season tickets for a 10,000-seat arena that doesn’t exist yet. Does that match what was expected? We knew there would be excitement for the club, but this has definitely exceeded our expectations. It goes to show that Rhode Islanders feel a connection to this team and that there is a huge appetite for professional sports that are specifically grounded in Rhode Island.
5. Is the stadium on track to be ready by the start of the 2024 season, and what is the contingency plan if it isn’t? The stadium is on track to open during the 2024 season. We poured the foundation earlier in January and construction will accelerate. We have several strong options if we need to start the 2024 season in a temporary venue.
