U.S. Soccer names former NASCAR executive Karen Leetzow as Chief Legal Officer
CHICAGO – The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced the hiring of Karen Leetzow as its new Chief Legal Officer.
Leetzow, an accomplished and results-orientated industry executive, spent 20 years at NASCAR where she most recently served as its Senior Vice President and General Counsel. She will begin her new position in Chicago in early August and is the first executive hire by U.S. Soccer Secretary General and CEO Will Wilson.
At NASCAR, Leetzow directed the day-to-day operations of a 21-person legal department and five-person risk management team. She brings a wealth of legal experience to U.S. Soccer, including specific skills in collective bargaining, anti-trust and trademark matters, litigation management, sponsorship contracts, intellectual property, employment matters, risk management and management of outside counsel.
“Karen brings a vast amount of expertise and broad legal background to U.S. Soccer, and she’ll immediately be a valuable addition to our team,” said Wilson. “She has a strategic mindset and a tremendous work ethic, and I’m confident her presence and skillset will further strengthen the foundation of our organization.”
Leetzow lives in Chicago with her husband Brett Scharback, who is General Counsel for the Chicago Cubs. Fluent in German, Leetzow earned her J.D. at the American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Vermont.
Related News
The 2021 United Soccer Coaches Convention will be an all-digital event
The 2021 United Soccer Coaches Convention will be a digital event.
Two more NCAA Division I conferences postpone fall soccer season
Two more NCAA Division I conferences postponed their seasons.
USMNT learns Concacaf’s new format for 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifying
Concacaf revised its World Cup qualification format.
FIFA awards U.S. clubs nearly $800K from Women’s World Cup Solidarity Fund
FIFA Women's World Cup Solidarity Fund payouts were unveiled.
Francis Farberoff to coach U.S. Men’s and Women’s Beach Soccer National Teams
Francis Farberoff will coach the U.S. Beach Soccer National Teams.
Australia and New Zealand selected to host 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
Australia and New Zealand will host the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
SOCCERWIRE MARKETPLACE
- Dana Cup Hjørring 2025
- Join Official Elite Summer Soccer Camps with Europe’s Top Pro Clubs!
- Loudoun College Showcase 2025: Earlybird Registration is OPEN NOW
- GET SEEN AT OUR COLLEGE ID CAMP!
- Maryland United College Showcase Series 2025
- The St. James Winter Futsal Program
- Chelsea FC 3v3 Youth Winter Cup
- International Tryout in Spain
- ECNL Girls Goalkeepers Wanted!
- Adidas College Showcase 2024
College Recruiting Commitment Tracker
Featured Players
Geoffrey Shi
COLLEGE RECRUITING STARTS HERE
Join the SoccerWire College Soccer Recruiting Search Engine and learn how to be seen OVER 1 MILLION TIMES PER YEAR.
- Basic $99 – for life
- Featured $299 – for life
- Featured PLUS $399 – for life