Charger Community Gains Leadership Insights from Prominent MLS Owner

The University of New Haven community gathered for the launch of the Sports Leadership Exchange Speaker Series, as President Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D. welcomed John R. Ingram, a prominent business executive and the driving force behind Nashville SC, for a wide-ranging discussion on leadership and vision.

From the earliest stages of launching a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise to navigating today’s evolving sports and business landscapes, Ingram offered students an inside and honest look at what it takes to turn an idea into reality.

Reflecting on his journey into professional sports ownership, Ingram emphasized that success is rarely as straightforward as it may seem in hindsight.

“When you have success, it’s sometimes easy to look back and paint this rosy picture... like it was inevitable,” he said. “Anybody that tells you that will lie to you about other things, too.”

Ingram described how his interest in sports ownership grew in part from his longtime love of sports. That passion ultimately led him to explore bringing professional soccer to Nashville, despite the city not being widely known for the sport at the time.

“It was entirely clear to me that this was going nowhere unless there was somebody that was in charge,” he said. “I didn’t know whether it would work or not... but we decided to go for it.”

Competing against 11 other major cities, Nashville initially ranked near the bottom of MLS expansion candidates. But through strategic planning, necessary collaboration between the public and private sectors of Nashville, building a solid leadership team, and a lot of persistence, the city secured its bid with MLS in 2017.

“It really doesn’t matter where you start,” said Ingram. “It matters a whole lot where you finish.”

Even after securing the franchise, Ingram noted that the real work was just beginning. “It was a little bit like the dog caught the bus,” he said. “Now I’ve got to actually build this thing.”

His first major hire was former Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre, who proved pivotal in transforming an idea into a reality and executing a vision execution.

Ingram underscored the importance of surrounding yourself with the right team. “Anybody that’s successful is successful largely because they surround themselves with really good people.”

Speaking directly to students, particularly those interested in sports management and business, Ingram challenged the idea of waiting for the “perfect” opportunity.

“There is no perfect start. Just get started,” he said. “If you have a chance to go in and fold the towels, go fold the towels, and do it great.”

He emphasized that initiative and work ethic often open doors to more meaningful opportunities. “Organizations care about people that can make things happen.”

Mentorship, he added, plays a critical role in career growth. “If you can help people be successful, the chances are they’ll help you back.”

At the core of Ingram’s approach is his philosophy on leadership. “For someone leading across so many arenas, I know you’re keen on identifying the right people. Could you walk us through what leadership means to you,” President Frederiksen asked.

“People are willing to follow you for two fundamental reasons,” Ingram explained. “One is that they trust you. The second is that they respect you.”

He stressed that leaders must earn both, and that leadership begins with setting a clear vision. “You need a North Star... and your people have to be on board with that as well.”

Equally important, he noted, is building a team aligned not just in skill, but in values.

“A resume can show you whether somebody has the background... it does not show you whether they value the same things that you do.”

Beyond business and sports, Ingram spoke about the importance of purpose and community impact. “To whom much is given, much is expected,” he said, recalling a lesson instilled by his parents.

He described his work—including building a soccer franchise—as not just a business endeavor, but also a contribution to the broader community. That sense of purpose continues to guide his work.

“I want to work hard, “he said, “because there are lots of things I want to do... not just for me.”

As soccer continues to grow in the United States (especially with the upcoming FIFA World Cup) Ingram expressed optimism about the sport’s future. Still, he emphasized that continued growth would depend on strong execution and strategic innovation.

“You’ve got to not just work on it,” Ingram emphasized. “You’ve got to execute and execute well.”