The U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) National Council, during their Annual General Meeting, recently made a historic decision. For the first time ever, the position of USSF president will now be a paid role. This change was implemented with the passing of Bylaw 401 Section 1C, which states that the USSF president will receive an annual stipend of $150,000.
The vote in favor of this bylaw change was supported by an overwhelming majority of 80.88% of the weighted vote. This surpassed the two-thirds majority threshold required for passage. It is worth noting that a similar measure was narrowly defeated at last year's AGM.
Over the years, there has been a growing demand within the USSF membership to make the position of president a paid one. This demand comes from a diverse range of representatives, including those from youth and adult state soccer associations, athlete councils, professional game stakeholders, and other affiliate members. The main argument in favor of paying the USSF president is that it will broaden the pool of qualified candidates by removing the restriction of needing to be wealthy enough to dedicate the required time to the job.
Advocates for this change highlight that the position of USSF president essentially functions as a full-time job, particularly with the United States set to co-host the 2026 Men's World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico. Considering the magnitude of this event, it is essential to have a president who can fully commit their time and energy to the role.
However, not everyone supported this measure. Dave Guthrie, the executive director of the Indiana State Soccer Association, raised concerns about the legality of paying the president of a non-profit organization. He also questioned whether the president's current responsibilities would be better handled by USSF employees. Guthrie argued that the president's principal focus should be on fulfilling the stewardship role and setting a vision for the organization, rather than being burdened with an excessive workload.
Opponent Hugh Goodridge, president of the New York State West Youth Soccer Association, highlighted that there are already other forms of compensation provided to the USSF president. Goodridge serves on the Concacaf Council, and it was confirmed that this position comes with a salary of $125,000 per year.
On the other hand, Juan Uro, an independent member of the USSF Board of Directors and the sponsor of the bylaw change, countered these objections. He mentioned that his research indicated no legal issues and that 'the officer can be paid, full stop.' Uro emphasized that the USSF should not aim to operate like other non-profit organizations such as the Mayo Clinic or the Red Cross. Instead, they should focus on promoting soccer and strengthening relationships with other federations across the globe.
Ultimately, Uro's position prevailed, leading to the passage of the bylaw change. In addition to this significant decision, the USSF National Council elected Nathán Goldberg Crenier as the new USSF vice-president. Goldberg Crenier, who will serve a four-year term, triumphed over USSF board member Dr. Pete Zopfi by a margin of 75% to 25%.
This development marks a significant moment in the history of the USSF. By making the position of president a paid role, the federation aims to increase access to qualified candidates and ensure that the president can dedicate ample time and effort to their responsibilities. Only time will tell how this change will impact the USSF and the broader soccer community in the United States.
