Agreement reflects USL’s strategy to grow soccer in more communities, create development pathways for talent, and reward ambition through meaningful competition
TAMPA, Fla. – The United Soccer League (USL) today announced that its men’s professional clubs have approved a new revenue-sharing model, creating greater alignment around the league’s future and supporting a broader strategy focused on growing soccer across the country.
The model is the latest in a series of significant changes at the USL over the past year under President and CEO Paul McDonough and with the support of BellTower Partners, led by former Carlyle Group CEO Kewsong Lee. New leadership, increased investment and greater collaboration with the league’s owners and players have helped shape a clearer vision for the USL’s place in the future of American soccer.
“We have a tremendous opportunity to grow soccer in this country, and we’re much clearer today about the role the USL can play in doing that,” McDonough said. “We can bring professional soccer to more communities, give more players and coaches meaningful environments to develop and create a competitive system where games matter and clubs have something to play for. Our owners have invested tremendously in this league, and today’s vote shows the alignment we have around where we’re going and what we’re building together. There’s a lot of work ahead, but I’m excited about what we can accomplish together.”
The revenue-sharing model creates a defined way for clubs to participate in the growth of national league revenue while establishing a broader set of commitments between the league and its clubs.
“I’ve been around the USL a long time, and I’ve seen this league evolve tremendously,” said John Neace, Chairman and CEO of Louisville City FC. “As owners, we look at things from our side of the table, and the league has its responsibilities on the other side. This is an important step that allows us to work more cohesively and make decisions that are good for the game, not just our own individual interests. A rising tide lifts all boats, and I believe this will strengthen the USL as a whole.”
The new model follows the ratification last week of a new collective bargaining agreement covering the USL Championship and USL Premier, the new top tier of the USL men’s professional system launching in 2028. Together, the agreements provide greater alignment with two of the league’s most important stakeholder groups – its clubs and players – as the USL continues to strengthen the foundation of its professional system.
“The USL is at its best when our clubs give communities across America a place to show their passion for the world’s game,” said Drew McKenna, managing partner and founder of One Knoxville SC. “This revenue-sharing model gives the league and our clubs a stronger foundation to keep investing in those communities and building for the future. It’s another important step in building American professional soccer around what matters to our fans.”
Meritocracy is central to the USL’s broader vision for the future. With the planned introduction of USL Premier and promotion and relegation in 2028, clubs will have the opportunity to rise based on performance on the field, creating matches of consequence throughout the system and rewarding sporting ambition.
The introduction of USL Premier will complete the USL’s men’s professional structure, creating a connected three-division system with Premier at the top, followed by the USL Championship and USL League One. Over time, the vision is for Premier and the Championship to operate as single-table national leagues with approximately 20 clubs each, while League One continues to grow through a regional model.
Across its men’s and women’s leagues, the USL sees its role as complementary to the broader American soccer landscape — expanding the game into more communities and creating development pathways for players and coaches to compete.
BellTower’s strategic partnership with the USL, now entering its second year, marked the league’s first access to institutional capital and has supported increased investment across the business. BellTower has worked closely with USL leadership to help shape key initiatives and accelerate the league’s continued development. The USL’s broader investor base includes Weatherford Capital, Advaya Capital, family offices and other partners.
