U.S. Soccer Federation CEO & Secretary General DAN FLYNN "plans to step down from the position next year," according to sources cited by Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. The USSF BOD has been "aware of Flynn's plans for a while and is expected to begin the search" for his replacement in the next several months. Flynn's decision is "unrelated to his health" despite the fact that he "underwent a heart transplant" in '16. His departure "seems unlikely to occur before next summer's Women's World Cup in France." Flynn is "expected to assist in the transition," and could "end up retaining ties in an advisory role." The USSF was in "financial dire straits when Flynn accepted the job" in June '00, but now sits on a $150M reserve. The USSF President "does not receive a paycheck as head" of the nonprofit; the CEO is the federation's "highest-paid official" (WASHINGTON POST, 10/23).
WHERE DOES USSF GO FROM HERE? Soccer America's Paul Kennedy in a series of tweets reported Flynn's move is "no surprise," as he "agreed to stay on for transition when it became clear" SUNIL GULATI would would not seek re-election as USSF President. The decision on Flynn's successor will be the "most important decision U.S. Soccer -- in this case, BOD -- will make," even trumping CARLOS CORDEIRO's election as President earlier this year. Cordeiro is "not the hands-on president" that Gulati was and the next CEO/Secretary General "will be the face of federation" for a stretch that includes the run-up to the '26 World Cup. The "obvious move" for the USSF BOD is hiring a search firm to find Flynn's replacement. Many good "sports/business execs might be interested in position though it involves lots of politics." USSF Chief Commercial & Strategy Officer JAY BERHALTER could be an internal candidate, and "another name" to keep in mind is BOD member and Chicago-based attorney JOHN COLLINS (TWITTER.com, 10/22).
