Kevin Payne, former Toronto FC, D.C. United president, dies
Kevin Payne, who helped D.C. United develop into Major League Soccer’s first dynasty and went on to function president of Toronto FC, has died. He was 69.
The Washington Post reported that Payne died Sunday in Charleston, S.C., from a lung sickness.
The longtime soccer govt was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame as a builder in 2021.
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“Kevin cared deeply about this sport and the people involved in it,” mentioned Djorn Buchholz, govt director of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. “His passion will be irreplaceable. We will miss him and we will make sure his legacy will not be forgotten.”
MLS commissioner Don Garber known as Payne “one of the league’s most successful club executives.”
“Kevin was instrumental in the formation of the league and helped build D.C. United into the first MLS dynasty — winning three of the first four MLS Cup championships,” Garber mentioned in a press release. “D.C. United remains one of the most successful teams in league history.”
“Kevin worked tirelessly for decades to grow the game in our country and his work has left a lasting impact,” added U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone. “His legacy and contributions changed our game at all levels, and he will be remembered fondly as a friend and colleague.”
Payne led D.C. United from 1994 to 2001 and once more from 2004 to 2012. He then turned Toronto FC’s first president however was unable to recreate his earlier success.
Payne helped D.C. United discover its toes in time for the debut MLS season in 1996. In its first 4 years of operation, D.C. United gained three MLS Cups and was runner-up the opposite 12 months. His group gained 47 league video games in its first two seasons.
When the league’s possession pool dwindled, Payne discovered himself accountable for six-AEG operated groups — the Los Angeles Galaxy, Colorado Rapids, Chicago Fire, D.C. United, New York/New Jersey MetroStars and San Jose Earthquakes — serving to the league to stay afloat throughout some lean years.
He then returned to D.C. United as president and CEO from 2004-12 earlier than changing into president of Toronto.
In coming to Toronto in November 2012, Payne joined a franchise that had did not make the playoffs since its inception in 2007, successful simply 45 video games over these six seasons.
He mentioned he relished the problem.
“I personally love a challenge,” he mentioned on the time. “I typically speak with individuals and say ‘What’s the enjoyable of being the supervisor of Real Madrid and spending loopy cash and simply shopping for the perfect gamers?’
“I really love to build things.”
At the time, Earl Cochrane was TFC’s director of group and participant operations. Cochrane is now common secretary of Canada Soccer.
Payne routinely wore certainly one of his 4 MLS championship rings. But he wasn’t going to put on one to his TFC introduction till spouse Pam modified his thoughts.
“I said to my wife this is weird. For the first time since ’97 — when I got the ’96 ring — I’m not going to put on a championship ring,” he mentioned after being unveiled as Toronto’s president and common supervisor.
“And she mentioned ‘I feel it’s best to put it on.’ I mentioned ‘Well, I don’t need to be at all times speaking about D.C.’ She mentioned ‘But it’s essential get individuals to aspire to win their very own ring. Understand that that’s the objective.’
“So that’s why I’m wearing it.”
Payne wore his 2004 championship ring to the news convention at BMO Field.
“We found the right guy,” mentioned Tom Anselmi, then president and COO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.
In January 2013, Payne employed former New Zealand worldwide Ryan Nelsen because the membership’s head coach. Nelsen beforehand performed 4 seasons for Payne at D.C. United, captaining the group to its fourth championship in 2004.
Payne and Nelsen inherited a horror present. Toronto (5-21-8) posted franchise worsts in 2012 for wins (5), losses (21), factors (23), targets in opposition to (62) and winless string (14).
The dismal exhibiting in 2012 prompted MLSE to roll again 2013 season-ticket costs to that of the membership’s inaugural 12 months in 2007.
Payne turned heads previous to the 2013 season when he mentioned he was upset on the health degree of “a number of players.”
Payne took a scalpel to the cap, shedding gamers whereas dealing to accumulate allocation cash to extend their sources. But the shedding continued and Payne and Cochrane had been gone in September 2013 as new MLSE boss Tim Leiweke cleaned home.
Born March 5, 1953, Payne performed soccer in school and on the semi-pro degree. After beginning his profession as a radio journalist in New York City and as a particular occasions govt in Vail, Colo., Payne turned to the business facet of soccer in 1989 when he was employed as U.S. Soccer’s nationwide administrator.
Payne was named CEO and govt director of US Club Soccer in January 2015 and remained within the place till he retired on Dec. 31, 2021.
Payne was a member of the MLS board of governors and its competitors committee for the league’s first 18 years, a U.S. Soccer board member from 1994 to 2004 and was vice-chairman of the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
He additionally served on the FIFA Global Committee for Club Football from 2009 to 2012. In 2011, Payne was awarded the distinguished Werner Fricker Builder Award by U.S. Soccer for his excellent work within the sport.
He additionally was honoured for his contributions to D.C. United as he was inducted into its Hall of Tradition in October 2015.
