Minnesota United CEO Shari Ballard Named 2025 Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year

Minnesota United FC (MNUFC) Chief Executive Officer Shari Ballard has been named the 2025 Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year by Major League Soccer (MLS). Ballard's tenure since 2021 has been marked by significant business achievements, including record-breaking total revenues for the club in 2025. Under her leadership, MNUFC secured its first jersey sleeve partnerships with Minnesota-based companies NutriSource and Finley's, and achieved the highest regular-season gate revenue at Allianz Field in a game against Inter Miami CF. The 2025 season also saw MNUFC breaking merchandise sales records, with the highest single-season jersey sales since the club's inception and a successful Heritage Kit launch which became the club's top jersey debut. Additionally, Ballard contributed to the club's player transfer market success by negotiating record transfer fees for players Sang Bin Jeong and Tani Oluwaseyi to other MLS and international clubs. The Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year award is selected by MLS stakeholders based on quantitative and qualitative performance criteria, recognizing exceptional leadership and business acumen in the league. Ballard's recognition highlights the increasing professionalization and business growth in MLS clubs as they expand their commercial partnerships and fan engagement. Community and business leaders have praised Ballard’s leadership qualities, emphasizing her integrity, strategic insight, and dedication to fostering a strong organizational culture. Partners such as Allianz Life Insurance, Ecolab, and Allina Health acknowledged her impact beyond sports, notably in community involvement and partnership synergies. Ballard's approach integrates business growth with community values, contributing to MNUFC's enhanced profile in the league and within the Minneapolis-St. Paul region. Her leadership reflects broader trends in U.S. sports management where executive roles increasingly demand multidisciplinary skills spanning finance, marketing, and community relations. This recognition sets a benchmark for executive leadership within MLS, highlighting the importance of strategic partnerships, revenue diversification, and community engagement in sports franchise management. The award emphasizes ongoing opportunities for soccer clubs in the U.S. to leverage their brands for commercial growth while fostering local community ties.