Jeff Plush (born 1966 or 1967)[1] is the former CEO of the United States Curling Association (USA Curling) and former commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League.

Career edit

Plush served as the Managing Director of the Colorado Rapids from 2006-2011, during which the team won its first MLS title (2010).[2][3][4][5]

In 2014 Plush was named the commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League. He succeeded the inaugural commissioner, Cheryl Bailey.

In February 2017, Plush and A+E Networks announced the league's first season-long television deal, which included one match per week to be aired on Lifetime. The deal included A+E Networks taking a 25% equity stake in the league and forming a joint venture to manage and produce the league's broadcast and streaming content.[6]

Plush resigned as commissioner in March 2017, and Amanda Duffy, hired by Plush to be the league's managing director of operations, filled many of the commissioner's roles until a successor was named several years later.[6][7]

Plush was later hired in April 2017 by sports marketing company BHSC Global to form and lead its properties business group.[8]

In February 2020 he became CEO of USA Curling, the national governing body of the sport of curling in the United States, a position he held until his resignation on October 28, 2022.[9][10][11][12]

References edit

  1. ^ Olson, Eric (January 21, 2022). "Keeping curling cool goal for sport's chief in US after gold". Associated Press. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  2. ^ Brazzale, Jacquelyn (January 6, 2015). "Jeff Plush Announced as the Women's Soccer League Commissioner". World Soccer Talk. Retrieved July 11, 2015.
  3. ^ Bird, Liviu (April 8, 2015). "Entering important season, NWSL, commissioner Jeff Plush eye growth". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  4. ^ Goldberg, Jamie (January 6, 2015). "National Women's Soccer League names Jeff Plush as commissioner". The Oregonian. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  5. ^ Boniface, Daniel (December 7, 2011). "Jeff Plush's departure from the Rapids leaked first on Twitter". The Denver Post. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  6. ^ a b "Jeff Plush steps down as NWSL commissioner". The Equalizer. March 2, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  7. ^ Lauletta, Dan (April 12, 2017). "Amanda Duffy defers on NWSL streaming details". The Equalizer. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  8. ^ "Executive Transactions". SportsBusiness Daily. April 25, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  9. ^ Armour, Nancy. "USA Curling CEO Jeff Plush resigns amid criticism he mishandled abuse complaints while with NWSL". Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  10. ^ "Jeff Plush Named New CEO Of USA Curling". United States Curling Association. February 5, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2020.
  11. ^ "USA Curling Hires Former NWSL Commissioner as New CEO". New York Times. February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  12. ^ "USA Curling hires former NWSL commissioner as new CEO". Odessa American. Associated Press. Retrieved March 3, 2020.