Press Kit

Company Overview

Minnesota United is an accessible, resilient and unifying force bringing the fastest growing sport in the country to fans in Minnesota and across the Twin Cities with innovative style. Building a new home in the heart of two industrious cities, the North is rising—not replicating, but ushering in a new era of soccer in America.

Major League Soccer

Minnesota United was awarded an expansion spot in Major League Soccer on March 25, 2015 and shortly thereafter announced its intention to build a state of the art soccer stadium in St. Paul at the center of downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. Construction of that stadium is expected to begin in summer of 2016 with United joining MLS in 2017.

Name

Minnesota United, MNUFC, the Loons, Minnesota United FC

Mascot – PK

Minnesota United's PK was officially named the MNUFC mascot in the summer of 2014. PK is a curious Loon who often gets into mischief by wandering into areas in search of new adventures. Known to have an excellent shot, PK is a less-than adequate goalkeeper who helps the MNUFC Dark Clouds and True North Elite cheer on the team at every home match. PK is often seen throughout the community donating time at charities, hospitals and soccer events.

Twitter: @PK_MNUFC
Nickname: Føt Føt

People often ask what PK stands for, but MNUFC has never gotten a straight-forward answer from PK himself. For now, it is understood that PK just means PK!

Biographies

Ownership / Dr. Bill McGuire

Dr. McGuire completed medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston after completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Texas.

As Chairman and CEO of United Health Group, Dr. McGuire grew the health care company from $400 million to more than $70 billion in annual revenue.

Before Dr. McGuire purchased the team, Minnesota soccer was in jeopardy. After the NASL took over the team in 2011, the team won the league’s first championship, but was still on the verge of folding. Then-league commissioner David Downs reached out to Dr. McGuire to save the team.

Interested in seeing the team for himself, Dr. McGuire and now-club President Nick Rogers attended several games, culminating in the home leg of the 2012 Soccer Bowl. Inspired by the atmosphere and excitement of the fans, Dr. McGuire purchased the team following the 2012 season.

McGuire began grooming the team for success, using inspiration from a visit to Bayern Munich, one of Germany’s top clubs, to guide his course of action. The following March, the team was rebranded as Minnesota United FC. McGuire went to work to build the team not only to survive, but to thrive on and off the field, expanding the front office and building partnerships with local businesses.

As the team’s accomplishments began to pile up, McGuire began working toward building an MLS franchise. He brought together an ownership group made up of Twins owner Jim Pohlad, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, and Carlson board member Wendy Carlson Nelson. The group began working with MLS to bring United to the highest level of the game in the U.S., and secure the future of soccer in Minnesota.

On March 25, 2015, MLS awarded Minnesota United the league’s 23rd franchise. For McGuire, it was an emotional moment to see his team go from the brink of folding to the top league in North America in just two years.

Dr. McGuire and the ownership group have continued to raise the profile of the club and its community by building a privately funded, soccer-specific-stadium. The new stadium will revitalize the area, bringing in new corporate, retail, and residential spaces. The stadium will be completed for the 2018 season in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul.

Showing his commitment to the community, Dr. McGuire‘s philanthropic efforts include donations to the Guthrie Theater, Walker Art Center, and Gold Medal Park.

Nick Rogers, President

Nick was named President of Minnesota United FC in January 2013. The Maryland native earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Maryland before obtaining his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Minnesota Law School.

A passionate soccer fan and avid Liverpool supporter, Nick was the driving force behind Dr. McGuire’s takeover of the team in January 2013, believing in the potential for top-tier professional soccer in Minnesota.

Since taking over the team, Nick has grown the front office from four full-time employees to more than 40, created partnerships with other cities, and led the team to tremendous growth in attendance.

Under Rogers’ leadership, the team has been as successful off the field as it has been on it. United has increased total attendance by 50 percent each of the past three seasons, selling out nine of its 16 home matches in 2015. The efforts put forth by Rogers and the front office have raised the profile of soccer in Minnesota, drawing global attention to the club.

Rogers looks to build off the base of the success of the past several years as the club prepares for MLS. While the team plays what might be its final season in the NASL, Rogers is overseeing the transition to the first division of American soccer and getting ready to open the team’s new soccer-specific stadium in St. Paul.

Todd Abramson, Chief Operating Officer

Todd joined the front office in January 2013 and has been one of the driving forces behind the dramatic growth of the club since new ownership took over. Prior to joining Minnesota United, he gained valuable experience as a strategy consultant for IBM out of their London offices. Prior to that, he was a Senior Vice President with Santander. Todd holds an MBA from Oxford.

Mike Slates, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships

Mike joins United after 16 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings as their Director of Corporate Sales and Service. He oversaw all aspects of corporate sponsorship revenue as well as directed the Partnerships team which, provided an elite level of service to the team’s corporate partners. Prior to the Vikings, Mike was a Corporate Sales Consultant for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Director of Corporate Sales for Columbus Crew SC. During his tenure at the Crew, the team opened the nation’s first soccer-specific stadium.

Sara Daggett, Vice President of Human Resources and Legal Affairs

Before joining United, Sara was a partner at a boutique litigation firm in Minneapolis, where she focused her law practice on complex business and commercial litigation. She earned her law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul and has been recognized multiple times as a “Rising Star” in the legal profession by Minnesota Law & Politics magazine. She volunteers her time as an attorney representing children in foster care.

Sean Sittnick, Senior Director of Ticket Sales

Sean worked in ticket sales for the Miami Heat and the Minnesota Timberwolves before making the switch to soccer, when he joined the Houston Dynamo. He came back to Minnesota in 2013 to run the ticket sales department of Minnesota United FC. Sean and his department have helped grow the business, doubling attendance in 2013, doubling season tickets in 2014, and selling out nine of the club’s 16 home matches in 2015.

Brad Baker, Senior Director of Video Production

Brad spent several years in Los Angeles working for the producer of the Rush Hour franchise before working for NFL Network. Brad would spend the next two years as the Production Manager for the Washington Redskins, during which time he was awarded an Emmy for his work on “Remembering 21: A Tribute to Sean Taylor.” Brad joined United in 2013. His production team won a regional Emmy for its 2014 video, “Rules of Soccer.”

Eric Durkee, Director of Public Relations

Eric joined Minnesota United in April 2013. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Eric brings public relations and social media experience from the Minnesota sports market. Previously, Eric worked for the Minnesota Vikings in Stadium Development and Public Relations and the Minnesota Timberwolves as a Social Media Associate.

Craig Mallace, Director of Camps & Youth Development

Craig Mallace was appointed Director of Camps and Youth Development in January of 2014. A former pro soccer player, Craig began his professional playing career in 2007, playing for the Minnesota Thunder. He has been Director of Coaching and Player Development for several clubs and coached girl’s varsity soccer at Hill-Murray High School. Craig also runs and operates Minnesota United Youth Camps.