Philadelphia Union operator-investor Jay Sugarman will hold a press conference Friday at which he is expected to confirm that CEO and chief operating partner Nick Sakiewicz has left the organization.
CBSphilly.com first reported the departure of Sakiewicz, who in 2006 founded Keystone Sports & Entertainment to facilitate the assembling of an investor group to found a team in Philadelphia. His search led him to Sugarman, the CEO and chairman of iStar Financial, an investment company and lending institution with deep ties to the commercial real estate industry.
Since starting play in MLS as its 16th team in 2010, Philly has qualified for the playoffs only once, in 2011, and is on the brink of being eliminated a fourth consecutive time. It lost its second straight Open Cup final at PPL Park on Wednesday, falling to Sporting Kansas City in a penalty-kick shootout, 7-6, after the teams had played a 1-1 tie through regulation and extra time.
Sakiewicz and head coach Jim Curtin have been under extreme pressure this year. Philly has labored near the bottom of the Eastern Conference and trails both expansion teams, Orlando City SC and New York City FC, in the standings. It is eight points out of a playoff spot at 9-15-7 and will be eliminated from playoff contention if it doesn’t win at Toronto on Saturday.
In recent days the team has been roiled by speculation as to the future of Curtin, a former assistant coach who took over from John Hackworth in June of last year, and rumors that former Galaxy and MetroStars head coach Octavio Zambrano is going to be hired as technical director.
Sakiewicz, 54, oversaw all major team operations, including the development of stadium plan and working closely with the Sons of Ben, a supporters’ club formed long before the MLS announcement. In June of its first season, the Union moved into PPL Park, a stadium in Chester, Pa., with a capacity of 18,500. Despite a fanatical fan base and the acquisitions of several high-profile players, includingFreddy Adu, Sebastien Le Toux and Maurice Edu, it has lagged behind most of its rivals.
The Inquirer newspaper published this statement from Sakiewicz: “I enjoyed my time at the Philadelphia Union and am proud of the team and organization and stadium we built. I wish the Union, Jay Sugarman, and the entire organization the best of luck and continued success.”
A former second-team All-American goalkeeper at the University of New Haven, Sakiewicz played professionally before entering the business world. He was president of the Tampa Bay Mutiny from 1996 to 1999 and served in the same role with the MetroStars until the team was sold by Anschutz Entertainment Group to Red Bull Co. Ltd. In March 2006.
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