Bill Manning

Bill Manning (born June 23, 1965) is a sports executive. He has worked in the front office of the Houston Rockets of the NBA and the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL, Toronto FC, Real Salt Lake, and the Tampa Bay Mutiny in Major League Soccer and the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He previously was a professional soccer player. Born in the United States, he represented the Puerto Rico national team.

Early life and education Manning is a native of Massapequa, New York. As a child, he played soccer for Massapequa Soccer Club as well as the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL) Select Team.

After high school, he was recruited by Adelphi, Hofstra, Harwick, North Carolina, but ultimately decided to attend the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, who offered him a full-ride scholarship. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree as well as a Masters in Business Administration. While at Bridgeport, he was a member of the Bridgeport Purple Knights men's soccer team and helped lead the team to the 1986 NCAA Division II Final Four. He was selected to play in the 1986 Intercollegiate Soccer Association of America East-West All-Star Game.

Professional career After college, he became a professional soccer player joining the Brooklyn Italians with whom he advanced to the final of the U.S. Open Cup twice, winning the title in 1991 U.S. Open Cup, He then joined the Penn-Jersey Spirit in 1991 of the American Professional Soccer League, a precursor to the United Soccer League. In 1993, he joined the Valley Golden Eagles. In 1994 and 1995, he played for the New York Fever.

He played with the Puerto Rico national team during the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament.

Management career In 1993, Manning began his career in sports management, joining the Continental Indoor Soccer League in a front office role for their inaugural season. He was named 2000 MLS Executive of the Year.

In 2004, he moved to the National Football League with the Philadelphia Eagles serving as Vice President of Sales and Service, overseeing a 50% increase in corporate sponsorship from 2004 to 2007. He was named MLS Executive of the Year in 2012, and won the award again in 2014 for the second time in three years, and his third time overall.

In 2015, he was named as President of Toronto FC, winning the MLS cup in 2017, and finishing as runner-ups in 2016 and 2019. In March 2021, he signed a five-year extension to remain president of both teams. In July 2024, he parted ways with Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, departing both roles by mutual agreement.

Personal Manning earned a U.S. Soccer National "A" Coaching License in 2001.