LOS ANGELES (Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023) – The LA Galaxyhave appointed Tom Braun as President of Business Operations and Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Urel Martinez has been promoted to Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). Announced today by Dan Beckerman, President and CEO of AEG, Braun, Martinez and Chief Creative and Brand Officer Will Misselbrook will comprise the LA Galaxy senior management team and will lead all LA Galaxy business operations. LA Galaxy Head Coach and Sporting Director Greg Vanney will continue to lead all soccer operations, reporting directly into Beckerman.
“We are excited to formalize this new structure that will provide tremendous opportunity to key members of our proven leadership team with the LA Galaxy,” said Beckerman. “Tom continues to rise as a business leader in our organization, and along with Urel and Will, we are confident will enhance our internal culture and lead our business operations strategically forward in new and innovative ways. We are confident this executive team will have the best interests of our loyal, passionate fans in mind while helping elevate our business to new heights.”
As President of Business Operations and COO, Braun will oversee and lead all day-to-day facets of LA Galaxy business operations andwill report directly into Beckerman. In addition to overseeing Revenue and Brand, Braun will directly manage several other departments including Business Development, Finance, LA Galaxy Foundation & Community Relations, Communications and Administration. Braun joined AEG in 2013 and has been with the club since 2015, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Soccer & Business Operations and Business Development. Over the course of his career with AEG, Braun has expanded the LA Galaxy’s brand and business in new and innovative ways. He led the organization and execution of the inaugural Soccer Champions Tourin 2022: a record-breaking, nine-day, four-city summer tour with several of the most historic international soccer clubs in the world – Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Juventus, Club América and Chivas de Guadalajara. The 2023 edition welcomed back the European clubs from the prior iteration, who were also joined by Manchester United, Arsenal F.C. and AC Milan. The University of Southern California alumnus also designed and launched the inaugural Coachella Valley Invitational: a first-of-its-kind MLS preseason event taking place on the same footprint of the iconic Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. This past year, Braun was named as a member of the prestigious Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 honorees.
As Chief Revenue Officer, Martinez will oversee Ticket Sales & Service, Marketing, LA Galaxy Partnerships and Fan Engagement. In his new role, he will spearhead all facets of LA Galaxy revenue efforts including season ticket sales, premium sales, sponsorship sales and activation, marketing, data & analytics and fan engagement. Martinez joined the Galaxy in 2017 and has almost two decades of professional sports experience, most recently serving as Senior Vice President of Revenue and Strategy for the LA Galaxy and Dignity Health Sports Park. An accomplished sports industry executive, Martinez boasts a strong track record of leadership and performance specific to strategic sales and revenue streams. Martinez oversaw ticket sales efforts for the July 4, 2023, historic LA Galaxy match at the Rose Bowl Stadium that set the Major League Soccer all-time single game attendance record.
As Chief Creative and Brand Officer, Misselbrook will lead Galaxy Studios, a holistic, all-encompassing, full-service brand entertainment studio for the LA Galaxy. Designed to shape the future of the LA Galaxy, Galaxy Studios is dedicated to crafting inventive and genuine narratives and experiences across all channels to reestablish the team as an innovator and leader within MLS. Moreover, it aims to create distinctive partnership opportunities that resonate with fans, the club and the brand. Additionally, Misselbrook will lead all Creative Development, Social & Digital Media, Game Presentation and Events. Misselbrook became a part of the club's leadership team in 2023 when he assumed the position of Chief Creative and Brand Officer. Misselbrook will lead new initiatives at the Galaxy to diversify the brand into new categories, including entertainment and media. His responsibilities encompass the continued stewardship of all aspects related to LA Galaxy content, creative, production, brand development and all other facets of social, digital media and programming. Misselbrook joined the LA Galaxy after spending two seasons with the Washington Commanders where he served as Chief Creative and Digital Officer, a first-of-its-kind title within an NFL front office.
