Austin FC has named Club President Andy Loughnane its Chief Executive Officer, consolidating day-to-day oversight of business and soccer operations under one executive, the club announced Tuesday.
Founder and majority owner Anthony Precourt will become Chairman, Majority Owner and Founder. He will remain Austin FC’s Governor on Major League Soccer’s Board of Governors and stay involved in long-term strategy and major decisions, while Loughnane runs daily operations.
Loughnane has been president since the club’s formation in January 2019 and oversaw business operations through the opening of Q2 Stadium and St. David’s Performance Center ahead of the 2021 inaugural season. He was named MLS Executive of the Year in 2022.
“I’m proud to have Andy take on this elevated leadership role with Austin FC. He has earned these broadened responsibilities, and the timing is right as the Club reorganizes its leadership team and organizational structure,” Precourt said in the club’s statement. “Andy is an exceptional culture builder, strategic thinker, and business operator, and he has earned the full trust and confidence of both me and the rest of the Austin FC ownership group to lead our Club forward.”
Loughnane said the move builds on work with Precourt and the ownership group dating to the club’s earliest days.
“I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Anthony from the earliest days of this Club, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity he gave me to help him and the Ownership group build Austin FC from the ground up,” Loughnane said. “I’m exceptionally proud of what our staff has accomplished together thus far, and we know there is much more we want to achieve for our fans, our community, and our Club. I look forward to this next chapter and the work ahead as we pursue our highest ambitions.”
Under the new structure, Austin FC’s next Sporting Director will also serve as Chief Soccer Officer, overseeing soccer operations — including roster construction and the player-development pathway — and reporting to Loughnane. The search continues with Precourt, Loughnane, Alternate Governor Matt Hulsizer, and Excel Search & Advisory.
Before Austin FC, Loughnane was President of Business Operations for Columbus Crew (2014–2018) and previously held leadership and commercial roles with the Detroit Pistons, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Detroit Red Wings. He serves on the boards of Visit Austin, the Austin Sports Commission, and the 4ATX Foundation.
Source: Austin FC official announcement, Aug. 11, 2026.
