Paul Beirne

Paul Beirne (born April 16, 1966) is a Canadian sports executive, who is currently the managing director of Pacific FC.

He has also worked with the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League, Toronto FC of Major League Soccer, and Brighton & Hove Albion of the Premier League.

Career

Toronto Raptors Beirne was appointed as director of ticketing for the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association in August 1994. He spent two years in the role before being promoted within Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.

Toronto Maple Leafs In September 1996, he became director of servicing for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment after two years – working with both the Toronto Raptors and the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 10 years with the team, Beirne handled all aspects of service, renewals, season tickets, group sales and single tickets for the Raptors and the Maple Leafs.

In April 2007, Beirne oversaw the opening of BMO Field, and he later sold out international friendlies against Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers, Benfica, Indepentiente, River Plate and Pachuca. Later that year, he was awarded the Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year.

In August 2008, he organised the 2008 MLS All-Star Game against West Ham United, and in August 2009, sold Canada's highest grossing soccer game when Toronto hosted Real Madrid. Beirne later oversaw the design, acquisition and construction of Toronto's training ground for the senior and academy teams.

He was part of the local organizing committee for the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, and was appointed to MLS Technical Committee in 2008 and MLS Business Committee a year later.

On January 23, 2018, it was announced that Beirne had been appointed as the league's first president. He would handle the day-to-day league operations and focus on ensuring a successful launch in April 2019.

Pacific FC In August 2022, Beirne was named as the managing director of Pacific FC.

Honours Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year: 2007

Personal life Beirne graduated from Neil McNeil High School in 1984, and studied at York University between 1986 and 1990. He is married and lives in Toronto, Ontario.