Nick Sakiewicz

Nick Sakiewicz (born January 14, 1961) is currently the CEO & Operating Partner of Keystone Sports & Entertainment, LLC, the ownership group of the Philadelphia Union beginning play in 2010.

Sakiewicz became the President of the Tampa Bay Mutiny of Major League Soccer in 1996 after working at the League office during the start-up and inaugural years (1995 and 1996). In 1999 he was named MLS Executive of the Year after 3 successful seasons with the Mutiny. On the heels of that success, he was hired as the President of the NY/NJ MetroStars' and was named MLS Executive of the Year in 2000 after reviving the team by winning the 2000 Eastern Conference Championship. Over 5 seasons the MetroStars appeared in one U.S. Open Cup final and qualified for the MLS playoffs 4 times. Under two coaches (Octavio Zambrano now coaching in Hungry and Bob Bradley currently U.S. Men's National Team Coach) the MetroStars posted an overall winning record and had stable consistent management. Many of the MetroStars executives from that time are successful senior executives throughout the League. The team consistently ranked in the top 2 or 3 of all MLS teams in attendance and sponsorship. Under Sakiewicz' management the team set the League standard for local broadcasting with the first 2.5 hour time slot, regular broadcasts and highlight shows on MSG cable television, introducing top talent (JP Delecamera and Shep Messing) and launching a weekly hit Spanish language radio show 'Solo Futbo".

Sakiewicz played professionally as a developmental player for FC Nantes of France in 1983 and Belenenses of Portugal in 1984. As a full professional he played for the New York Arrows (1985) of the original Major Indoor Soccer League and the Tampa Bay Rowdies (1989) of the American Professional Soccer League.

In 2005, Sakiewicz was promoted to President of AEG New York, LLC and as part of his work continued to finalize one of the first soccer specific stadium projects which is known today as Red Bull Arena. Despite receiving considerable criticism for the length of time it took to secure the stadium deal for the MetroStars (now Red Bull New York) Sakiewicz closed the financing and broke ground in Harrison N.J. on September 19, 2006. In November 2007 he left the organization accomplishing what he set out to do to become part of the ownership group of Philadelphia Union. In February 2008 Philadelphia was announced as MLS' 16th team and on December 1, 2008 Sakiewicz broke ground on his second soccer specific stadium.

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