Veteran Fills Position After More Than 10 Years of Service to the Club
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced the promotion of Emigdio Gamboa to Vice President of marketing and communications following more than 10 years of service to the club. Gamboa reports to President Julian Posada, and joins him as the only Hispanic president-vice president duo in Major League Soccer (MLS).
In his new role, Gamboa will manage the team’s advertising, events, community relations and digital media. His duties will include overseeing the club’s recently developed ‘Practice in the Community’ series, a program that holds team training sessions open to the public in Chicagoland neighborhoods. The program helps promote the positive influence of youth soccer through accessible and entertaining sessions with the players and coaches.
Given the importance of the Hispanic fan base, Gamboa will continue to be instrumental in shaping and growing the Fire’s relationship with the local Hispanic community. Over the years, he has helped create and manage unique programs while working closely with MLS to conduct national outreach programs that help diversify and increase the popularity of soccer in the surrounding Chicagoland communities. Some of these programs include Sueño MLS, a nationally-televised player search, and MLS Futbolito, a fast-paced 4 vs. 4 soccer tournament open to both children and adults.
Gamboa has also supported the club’s business development and managed key relationships for the organization including its first designated player, Cuauhtémoc Blanco and the team’s independent supporters association, Section 8 Chicago.