KC Reporter

Sporting Kansas City has named David Lee as the club’s new President of Soccer Operations and General Manager. Lee, who signed a seven-year contract running through 2032, will oversee all aspects of the club’s soccer operations. His responsibilities include first-team roster management, player recruitment, scouting, analytics, technical staff oversight, and development of Sporting KC II and the Sporting KC Academy. He will report directly to the ownership group and supervise Sporting Director Mike Burns and interim head coach Kerry Zavagnin.

“As we enter a new era for Sporting Kansas City, this is the most important decision we could make,” said Co-Principal Owner Michael Illig. “After a six-month global search, David was the clear and undeniable choice. He will lead our soccer operation with our full trust and confidence. David brings fresh vision, global experience and relentless ambition. With his leadership, we are committed to building a team that reflects the pride of our community while striving for the highest levels of Major League Soccer. This is the beginning of a new chapter for Sporting Kansas City and one that we believe will carry our club into a future of renewed success and shared pride with our supporters.”

Lee expressed his enthusiasm about joining Sporting Kansas City: “Sporting Kansas City has a proud history, a passionate fanbase and a winning culture. I want to thank the ownership group for this special opportunity and look forward to building on the strong foundation that has been established in this great soccer city. I am excited to work with the players, coaches and staff to achieve our shared ambitions and I look forward to meeting our incredible fans.”

Prior to joining Sporting Kansas City, Lee served as Sporting Director at New York City FC (NYCFC). He joined NYCFC in 2014 as part of its inaugural technical staff focusing on player recruitment and scouting before being promoted to Technical Director in 2017 and then Sporting Director in 2019.

During Lee’s tenure at NYCFC, the club achieved notable successes including winning the 2021 MLS Cup and 2022 Campeones Cup. The team made seven consecutive playoff appearances from 2016-2022 and returned to postseason play in both 2024 and 2025; currently they are third in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference standings. Over ten seasons from 2016-2025, NYCFC leads MLS in regular season points (523) as well as playoff appearances (nine).

As Sporting Director since 2019, Lee signed 14 out of NYCFC’s 17 Homegrown Players—including signing the youngest player in league history—and managed all aspects of soccer infrastructure across various levels including coaching, sports performance, operations, player personnel, scouting at MLS level as well as within MLS NEXT Pro and academy programs.

Lee began his professional career in England before moving into Major League Soccer roles starting in 2011 with New York Red Bulls as Performance Analyst—a period during which Red Bulls won the 2013 Supporters’ Shield—before joining NYCFC ahead of their first season.