Minnesota United yesterday officially named T'Wolves and WNBA Lynx President CHRIS WRIGHT CEO. Wright will oversee both the business and sporting sides of the MLS club. He starts in the new role Oct. 6 (Minnesota United). Wright said that he "initially began talking about this opportunity" with Minnesota United Owner BILL MCGUIRE about three months ago. McGuire said that he talked to "more than five candidates for the job and was interested in finding someone" with experience outside of MLS, but who still "had a passion for the sport and ties to the Minnesota community." In Minneapolis, Megan Ryan notes everyone besides McGuire will "report to Wright," including current team President NICK ROGERS. McGuire said he "wouldn't speculate" on Rogers' future with the club beyond continuing to focus on building the team's $200M Allianz Field (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 9/19). McGuire said of Wright, who had been with the T'Wolves for 26 years, "(He) is someone that brings learning and experiences, ups and downs, that we have not yet seen. ... Therefore, great, great attributes for us as we move forward.” Wright called the transition a “legacy play” to return to his soccer roots yet “bittersweet” because of his admiration for T'Wolves Owner GLEN TAYLOR, also a Minnesota United minority owner (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 9/19).
