Union's new business officer has Super Bowl on his mind
Tim McDermott is excited to be taking over as the Union's chief business officer, but there is some immediate business he will take care of before delving into his new job: attending the Super Bowl.
Tim McDermott is excited to be taking over as the Union's chief business officer, but there is some immediate business he will take care of before delving into his new job: attending the Super Bowl.
The brother of former Eagles assistant and current Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott will attend the game Sunday against the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
When McDermott was interviewing with owner Jay Sugarman for the Union's job, he had plenty on his plate.
"Over last couple of weeks, with me spending time with Jay and hoping this would materialize and my brother in the playoffs at the same time he had interviews with Tampa Bay and Cleveland, it has been a pretty unique and special time, to say the least," McDermott said Monday during a conference call with reporters. "At the same time, I am excited to make a trip to the Super Bowl and will be taking the family out there and that should be pretty special."
He feels the same way about his job with the Union, who are entering their seventh Major League Soccer season. The Union have made the playoffs just once, but they have enjoyed a great following.
Last season, despite a 10-17-7 record, the Union averaged 17,451 fans in 17 home games at 18,500-seat Talen Energy Stadium (formerly PPL Park).
"We have said the best sporting experience in Philadelphia is with the Philadelphia Union," said McDermott, who formerly worked for the Eagles and was the chief marketing and innovation officer for the 76ers since December 2013. "One of the things I want to continue to do is enhancing the overall fan experience, enhancing the value of being a season-ticket holder."
Sugarman confirmed that Dave Rowan, who assumed the day-to-day business operations in the interim after chief executive officer and operating partner Nick Sakiewicz was fired in early October, will be moving on.
McDermott said he will first look to spend sufficient time with the Union's fans.
"I want to spend time with them, to actually listen to them," McDermott said. "That is a big piece of what I will be doing the first 90 days here, really getting to know them, what makes them Union fans."
Moving on
Venezuelan striker Fernando Aristeguieta will not return to the Union for the 2016 season. A source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed the news to Philly.com on Monday night.
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