CHICAGO (December 21, 2022) – Chicago Fire FC today announced that it has hired Dave Baldwin as President of Business Operations.
Baldwin, a highly accomplished sports business executive, will be responsible for leading the Fire’s non-sporting operations. In this role, Baldwin will work alongside football operations and will oversee the Club’s business strategy and operations. His position with the Fire will officially begin in January 2023. He will report directly to Owner and Chairman Joe Mansueto.
“I am extremely grateful to Joe Mansueto for the opportunity to join the Chicago Fire,” said Baldwin. “It’s an honor to be joining the team during such a pivotal time in its history. Between the consistent growth that MLS has experienced over the last decade, the Fire’s recent move to Soldier Field, and the 2026 World Cup set to be held in North America, there’s never been a better time to join the sport and to help grow one of the League’s original clubs. I’ve spoken with Georg and I’m excited to support his efforts as we look to bring another championship to the great city of Chicago. I’m looking forward to joining the team and meeting our Fire supporters soon!”
Baldwin joins the Fire with nearly 15 years of experience in the sports industry and a proven track record of driving results and developing future leaders. Throughout his career, Baldwin has led significant ticketing transformations at the Miami Dolphins, Ilitch Sports and Entertainment, and the Washington Commanders, leading to a variety of record-breaking sales campaigns.
“We’re very pleased to welcome Dave and his family to the Club,” said Mansueto. “Dave is an exceptional leader with a history of success in Detroit, Miami, and Washington D.C. He brings a deep expertise in ticketing, building fanbases and filling stadiums. We believe that with his experience and Midwest roots, Dave is a great fit for our Club and will be a catalyst for our organization, supporters, and partners.”
Most recently, Baldwin was the Chief Ticketing Officer for the Commanders, where he served as a key member of the senior leadership team and was responsible for overseeing the strategy and operations for the team’s ticketing efforts as well as securing major events, including world class concerts and the 125th anniversary of the Army vs. Navy football game (scheduled for 2024). Additionally, under Baldwin’s leadership, the Commanders ranked second in the NFL in new club seats sold and third in new annual suites sold this season.
Prior to his time with the Commanders, Baldwin served as the Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment from 2019-2021. In this role, Baldwin oversaw a team of more than 90 people, including salespeople, sales leadership, and ticketing strategy and analytics for the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings.
Earlier in his career, Baldwin helped lead unprecedented ticketing growth for the Dolphins. During his tenure, the team saw its total ticket revenue increase by 75 percent and was ranked first in the NFL in new season tickets sold five seasons in a row and new suites sold four seasons in a row. In addition, Baldwin assisted with selling out Hard Rock Stadium for El Clasico Miami in 2017 between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, resulting in the highest-grossing soccer match in US history.
A native of Grosse Pointe, Mich., Baldwin holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Miami and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Sports Management from Aquinas College, where he played varsity basketball. He will be relocating to Chicago with his wife Mary and their sons Hudson and Blake.
The Fire utilized TurnkeyZRG to conduct a comprehensive and inclusive search process, which resulted in the hire of Mr. Baldwin. TurnkeyZRG is the top executive search firm in sports, music, entertainment, and media.
