It doesn’t look like we’re getting any head coach announcements after the XFL did double duty last week. It makes sense because the NFL Draft is happening tomorrow, why would the XFL want to compete with those headlines?

Earlier this week we saw Bob Stoops build out his staff in Dallas, and today we learned that Derek Throneburg, former VP at Pacers Sports and Entertainment is accepting the role of SVP of Team Business Operations for the XFL. In his new role, he will be working with the presidents of each franchise to develop and execute their sales strategy.

.@DerekTburg, former VP at Pacers Sports and Entertainment, is heading to the XFL as SVP of Team Business Operations. Will work with the 8 club presidents to build team brands in each market and develop/execute sales strategies #sportsbiz

— Mark J. Burns (@markjburns88) April 25, 2019

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The XFL sent out press release today stating that they will hold a press conference next Tuesday, April 16th at The AC Hotel in Times Square to announce the Head Coach/GM and the President of the New York XFL franchise.

No names have been rumored yet for either role, but we’ll keep you updated as we find out more.

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Ryan Gustafson , who was most recently the vice president of business strategy and development for the Seattle Sounders. Prior to spending four years with the San Diego Padres, he worked in ticket sales and customer service for the Seahawks and Sounders from 2008 to 2010. Gustafson grew up less than 10 miles from CenturyLink Field.

And though he’s changing jobs, he won’t be changing stadiums. Tuesday, Gustafson will be named president of the XFL’s new Seattle franchise.

“It’s the most amazing opportunity I can think of,” Gustafson said in a phone interview Monday. “I think that this city has the best sports fans in the world, and I’m happy to be one of them. That’s a cool thing, to be able to create something from scratch that could have a real impact on this community.

“This place is where I grew up. It’s part of my DNA. I am Seattle, and I am so proud to be from Seattle. So the ability to really build something that I think is going to be incredibly special and connect with fans that I have such a close connection with already and do it in a way that is uniquely Seattle is something that is such a cool thing. I’m very lucky and grateful for the chance to do it.”

Update: Here is the official press release from the XFL

Stamford, Conn., March 26, 2019 – The XFL today announced that Ryan Gustafson, most recently the Vice President of Business Strategy & Development for Sounders FC, has been named President of the XFL football team in Seattle.

The Seattle XFL team will first take the field in February 2020 for its inaugural season and play its home games at CenturyLink Field. Jim Zorn was recently named the team’s Head Coach and General Manager.

Gustafson will be responsible for the team’s fan engagement and business operations, including ticket sales, corporate partnerships, marketing, content, communications, community relations, and the game day experience.

“Ryan is well-established in the Seattle sports community and Vince McMahon and I are proud to welcome him to the XFL family,” said Jeffrey Pollack, XFL President and Chief Operating Officer. “We have no doubt he and Coach Zorn will have a strong partnership and together build something special on and off the field.”

“I’m excited to help bring the XFL to the Pacific Northwest and build a team that makes a lasting impact in our community,” said Gustafson. “I’d like to thank Adrian Hanauer and the entire Sounders family for the chance to be part of such a great organization. Growing up less than ten miles from CenturyLink Field, and with a love of all things connected to Seattle sports, I know how special fans are here, and I’m grateful to the XFL leadership for this truly unique opportunity.”

“I’d like to extend Ryan a warm welcome,” said XFL Seattle Head Coach and General Manager Jim Zorn. “He’s a hometown guy with a wealth of front office experience, and I’m looking forward to working side-by-side with him to bring to life our team here in Seattle.”

As 
Vice President of Business Strategy & Development for Major League Soccer’s Sounders FC, Gustafson led strategic planning for the organization and led all revenue-generation initiatives, including ticket sales, corporate partnerships, and suites.

Gustafson spent four years with the San Diego Padres, starting in 2013 as Manager, Business Strategy and Analytics. He was promoted in 2014 to Senior Director, Strategy & Innovation, and to Vice President of Strategy & Innovation in 2015. In that position, he oversaw CRM and business analytics, financial projections and special projects. Gustafson also spent a year with Major League Baseball as a senior analyst and worked in ticket sales and customer service for both the Seattle Seahawks and Sounders FC from 2008 to 2010.

After working for the Seahawks and Sounders, Gustafson attended Harvard Business School and graduated with a Master’s in Business Administration in 2012. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics from the University of Puget Sound in 2008, where he captained the varsity baseball team.

Raised in Bellevue, Wash., Gustafson currently resides in Seattle.

About The XFL
The XFL will reimagine football for the 21st century when it kicks off the weekend of February 8-9, 2020. The new league is committed to delivering a fan-centric, innovative experience, including fast-paced games and a family-friendly environment, complemented by cross-platform viewing options and real-time fan engagement.

Football is America’s favorite sport boasting over 85 million fans, but the traditional season is just too short. Seeing a tremendous opportunity to fill the void, Vince McMahon, XFL Founder and Chairman announced on January 25, 2018, the launch of a new league, which he is personally funding. McMahon is building the XFL with the same commitment and resolve that he has demonstrated building WWE into a global media and sports entertainment powerhouse.

Delivering authentic, high energy football for the whole family at an affordable price, the XFL will offer fast-paced games with fewer play stoppages and simpler rules. The league will launch with eight teams, 45-man active rosters, and a 10-week regular season schedule, with a postseason consisting of two semifinal playoff games and a championship game. The XFL will also establish a health, wellness and safety program that meets the needs of today’s athletes.

The XFL will embrace the latest on and off-field technology, providing live game coverage, content and real-time engagement across multiple platforms, giving fans greater access than ever before. The XFL is committed to building grassroots relationships with local organizations in its host cities through social responsibility partnerships, and the XFL will enjoy the support of WWE’s many extraordinary resources and promotional capabilities.

The XFL will launch next year in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, St. Louis, Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Washington D.C.

For more information, visit XFL.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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Assistant Recruiting Coordinator for Penn State, Justin King has been hired by the XFL as its Manager of Football Operations, an XFL spokesperson told PennLive on Thursday.

King, who starts with the league next week, will work under Senior Vice President of Football Operations, Doug Whaley.

An All-Big Ten selection in 2007, King was one of Penn State’s first five-star recruits. He went on to play offense and defense for the Lions, as he played receiver in 2005 ended the season with an Orange Bowl victory before starting for two seasons as a corner.

King was drafted in the 4th round (101st overall) by the Rams in the 2008 NFL Draft, where he spent two seasons, missing his rookie season due to a torn ligment in his toe during the Rams first preseason game against the Tennessee Titans. He signed with The Colts, but was dropped after the fifth week and picked up by the Steelers for the remainder of the season.

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The XFL announced on Thursday that former Buffalo Bills General Manager Doug Whaley will be joining the league as the senior vice president of football operations.

Whaley is currently the director of college recruiting for the NFL Players Associations’ Collegiate Bowl. He will remain in that role until the end of this year.

“Based on his passion for all aspects of football, his intellect and vast experience as an NFL general manager, we believe that Doug is the perfect choice to lead the XFL’s football operations,” XFL Commissioner and CEO Oliver Luck was quoted as saying in a release from the league. “The quality of the on-field product is paramount to the XFL’s success, and Doug, who is tech-savvy and a firm believer in analytics, brings football credibility and a strong work ethic to the team. I’m excited to begin working with him as we reimagine the game.”

“I’m excited to get started, knowing we have a lot of work ahead of us,” Whaley said in an XFL press release. “Nothing is more important than developing a fun, fast-paced game that football fans will embrace, and I look forward to making this challenge a reality.”

The XFL is set to launch in early 2020.

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XFL press release:

ROXANNE KOSARZYCKI NAMED XFL GENERAL COUNSEL

Stamford, Conn., Sept. 5, 2018 – Roxanne Kosarzycki, former General Counsel for the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has been named General Counsel for the XFL. The announcement was made today by XFL Commissioner & CEO Oliver Luck, to whom Kosarzycki will report. The new XFL kicks off in early 2020 and will deliver a fan-centric, innovative experience, including fast-paced games and a family-friendly environment, complemented by cross-platform viewing options and real-time fan engagement.

Kosarzycki comes to the XFL from her prior position as Senior Vice President/General Counsel for Global Imaging Systems, Inc., a leading provider of business technology solutions. From March 2011 until accepting her new post with the XFL, she served as the company’s general counsel and corporate secretary, providing guidance and counsel in all aspects of the business.

Before working for GIS, Kosarzycki was General Counsel for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with accountability for a broad range of business, operational and legal functions. Her many responsibilities included drafting and negotiating all business contracts, including sponsorship, marketing, media technology, licensing and employment; managing player contracts; supervising human resources; and protecting the team’s trademark portfolio and copyrighted information. Kosarzycki’s extensive experience in professional sports began in July 1992 as Associate Counsel for the NFL’s Oakland Raiders, a position she held until joining the Buccaneers in 2004. While with the Raiders, Kosarzycki also served as counsel to the teams’ retail operation.

After earning her B.A. at the University of California, Los Angeles in 1987, Kosarzycki earned her J.D. from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles in 1992. She is a member of the California and Florida Bar Associations.

Plans for the XFL at launch include eight teams, 40-man active rosters, and a 10-week regular season schedule, with a postseason consisting of two semifinal playoff games and a championship game.

—

About The XFL

The new XFL will reimagine football for the 21st century when it kicks off in early 2020.

Football is America’s favorite sport boasting over 85 million fans but the traditional season is just too short. Seeing a tremendous opportunity to fill the void, Vince McMahon, XFL Founder and Chairman announced on January 25, 2018, the launch of a new league, which he is personally funding. McMahon is building the XFL with the same commitment and resolve that he has demonstrated building WWE into a global media and sports entertainment powerhouse.

Delivering authentic, high energy football for the whole family at an affordable price, the XFL will offer fast-paced games with fewer play stoppages and simpler rules. The league will launch with eight teams, 40-man active rosters, and a 10-week regular season schedule, with a postseason consisting of two semifinal playoff games and a championship game. Each contest will be a high-profile event with tens of thousands of fans, featuring innovative elements that bring them closer to the players and the game they love. The XFL will also establish a health, wellness and safety program that meets the needs of today’s athletes.

The XFL will embrace the latest on and off-field technology, providing live game coverage, content and real-time engagement across multiple platforms, giving fans greater access than ever before. We will build strong grassroots relationships with local organizations in our Host Cities through social responsibility partnerships, and the XFL will enjoy the support of WWE’s many extraordinary resources and promotional capabilities.

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