$400,000,000 Mixed-Use Soccer Project: Rhode Island FC | Brett M. Johnson Chairman and Co-Founder
Welcome to The One Soccer Nation Podcast! Today, our host Kareem Rae sits down with Brett M. Johnson. Brett is the Chairman of Rhode Island FC, a Director and Shareholder at Ipswich Town FC. In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of Rhode Island FC, including who conducted the market research, the process of acquiring the rights from USL, and why Brett chose the USL Championship over other leagues. We also explore the massive $400M mixed-use development project in Rhode Island, how Brett finds opportunity zones, and the unique opportunities in the US soccer landscape. Brett shares his insights on managing multiple clubs, the long-term vision for Rhode Island FC, and the growth of soccer in the United States. Additionally, we discuss philanthropy, community engagement, and Brett's thoughts on the Messi effect, egaming, esports, and the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Tune in for an insightful conversation with one of the leading figures in professional soccer and sports development.
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Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Meet Brett Johnson – Global Football Investor
01:10 – How Brett Fell in Love with the Beautiful Game
03:15 – Launching Phoenix Rising FC: His First Soccer Investment
06:00 – Why Brett Chose USL Over MLS
08:30 – Building a Club: From Baseball Stadiums to Modular Soccer
11:00 – Partnering with Drogba & Rebranding to Phoenix Rising
13:25 – Why Ipswich Town? The Investment & Growth Strategy
16:15 – The Ascent: Back-to-Back Promotions to the Premier League
18:45 – Lessons from English Football Applied to Rhode Island FC
21:00 – The Value of Promotion/Relegation & Fan Engagement
24:10 – Can Promotion/Relegation Work in the U.S.?
27:20 – The Role of USL in Reshaping U.S. Soccer
30:00 – Creating a USL Premier League & Club Standards
32:40 – Explaining Parachute Payments & Relegation Economics
34:10 – Building a $400M Mixed-Use Development in Rhode Island
36:45 – Public-Private Partnership: Land, Stadium, and Jobs
38:55 – The 6-Year Journey from Concept to Reality
41:30 – Owning the Stadium vs Renting: Impact on Club Profitability
43:45 – How USL Stadiums Like Louisville & Colorado Became Profitable
46:00 – Advice to Investors Exploring U.S. Soccer & USL
48:00 – Building Wealth Through Clubs, Stadiums & Community
49:30 – Running Private Equity, Sports Ventures & Family Life
51:10 – Final Thoughts on USL, 2026 World Cup, and Messi Effect