Haslam Sports Group Named Mary Shepro NWSL President
The Columbus Crew executive will oversee business operations for the city's new NWSL expansion franchise.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Soccer
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Haslam Sports Group has appointed Mary Shepro to serve as president of business operations for its upcoming NWSL expansion team. Shepro will manage this new responsibility while retaining her existing role as president of the Columbus Crew.
Why it matters
By unifying business leadership under Shepro, the organization intends to leverage shared operational expertise across its men's and women's professional soccer properties in Columbus.
Haslam Sports Group paid a $205 million expansion fee to secure the franchise, which is currently slated as the 18th team to join the NWSL. The club is also developing a 45,000-square-foot training facility to support the new team.
The players
Mary Shepro
She serves as the president of the Columbus Crew and now adds business operations oversight for the new NWSL franchise to her responsibilities.
Haslam Sports Group
This investment and management organization owns several professional sports franchises, including the Columbus Crew.
David Jenkins
He serves as the president of Haslam Sports Group and acts as the direct supervisor for Mary Shepro.
Tim Bezbatchenko
He is responsible for overseeing the sporting side and technical operations for the professional soccer franchises owned by the group.
The details
Mary Shepro is currently tasked with establishing the new organization's staff structure and leading the development of its brand identity. The team will play its home games at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field when it officially enters the league.
Timeline
The new NWSL franchise is scheduled to make its official league debut in 2028.
The Big Picture
This appointment follows the established protocols of the NWSL expansion process, which has seen increased institutional investment in women's professional soccer. It marks a strategic alignment within the organization to consolidate business leadership across its multi-sport portfolio.
The organizational structure ensures that the NWSL franchise will utilize the same business executive team as the Columbus Crew. Residents can expect consistent operational management across both professional soccer clubs at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.
The takeaway
Consolidating leadership roles can streamline the launch of complex sports franchises by utilizing proven local management infrastructure. This strategy suggests that the expansion team will prioritize operational efficiency as it builds toward its debut.
Further reading
For more information on the professional soccer landscape in the region, visit Soccer.
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