Catching Up With MLS Real Salt Lake President Bill Manning

Manning Played For Puerto   Rico's National Soccer Team

Real Salt Lake President BILL MANNING has made tremendous strides for the MLS team since coming aboard in April '08. He has continued to keep the team on many soccer fans' radar and has helped Rio Tinto Stadium remain in the spotlight since its opening last fall. Manning caught up with Staff Writer Jessica Collins Thursday prior to heading to Seattle for RSL's first appearance in MLS Cup, where they will take on the Galaxy on Sunday.

Favorite vacation spot: Ocean City, New Jersey 
Favorite Web sites: NFL.com, MLSNet.com, ESPN.com, CNN.com
Favorite TV shows: "Seinfeld," "24," "The Shield"
Best Salt Lake City restaurant: La Caille
Two things tourists should do when they visit Salt Lake City: Head up to Park City and ski and go to Zion National Park
Gadget you couldn’t live without: BlackBerry

Q: Are you doing anything special while in Seattle this weekend for MLS Cup?

 Manning: It's actually my son's seventh birthday on Sunday, so before (RSL) got in I planned to bring my whole family. Now it's a little extra special to spend MLS Cup weekend with my family. 

Q: How does it feel going against the Galaxy knowing a lot of people are rooting for DAVID BECKHAM and LANDON DONOVAN?

Manning: We have no problem being the underdogs. I think the Galaxy is a great story. David Beckham has been great for the league and Landon Donovan, in my opinion, is the best American player. They came back from a lot of adversity and BRUCE ARENA has done a great job there. But I think we have a good story to tell too. We're looking forward to this battle.

Q: You've lived in multiple sports cities. Which one has been the most memorable?

Manning: Philadelphia. I loved the town and the opportunity to go down to the Super Bowl with the Eagles and be a part of that organization.

Q: Who is an executive you admire?

Manning: Certainly DAVE CHECKETTS, and ROGER GOODELL and DON GARBER. I just think they're great leaders of men. I think Roger stepping into PAUL TAGLIABUE's shoes and taking over from a very strong leader like Paul and doing what he's done is great. And Don, what he's done with this league over the last 10 years. Dave Checketts is a visionary and cares about the people who work for him and that means a lot to me. 

Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?

Manning: I played for the Puerto Rico national soccer team. 

Q: How would you best describe your management style?

Manning: Folks joke that it's a Democratic dictatorship. I like to give autonomy to my staff and allow them to do their job and provide guidance and support. But not be afraid to make the key decisions when they need to be made.

Q: You have worked for MLS, the NFL and the NBA. What is the difference between the three leagues?

Manning: MLS is still in a lot of ways in a development mode and you're still in an educational mode to some extent with fans and sponsors. The NBA was glitz and glamour and a lot of excitement. The NFL is the real deal. The NFL is the most popular sport and I think from a business model standpoint it's figured it out and it is the real deal. I really enjoyed working in the NFL. The opportunity to come back to Major League Soccer and open this new stadium has been really exciting. But the NFL was a lot of fun.

Q: Any chance you'd like to work for MLB in the future?

Manning: (Laughs) Well I am a Yankees fan so we'll see. But I am very happy where I'm at. 

Q: What would you do if you were MLS Commissioner for a day?

Manning: I would institute a Golden Goal rule for games that end in a tie after 90 minutes.