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{{Short description|American soccer executive}}
{{BLP sources|date=April 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2019}}
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'''Peter Wilt''', born in [[McHenry, Illinois]], is a [[association football|soccer]] executive who was the first President and General Manager of the [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]] in [[Major League Soccer]], led an effort to bring an expansion MLS franchise to [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], and maintains strong connection to the sport of soccer in the [[Midwest]], Chicago in particular. Wilt is most known for his work with the Chicago Fire, where he gained a reputation for being a fan-friendly businessman in the soccer world.
{{peacock|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox person
⚫
| name = Peter Wilt
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1960}}
| birth_place = [[McHenry, Illinois]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| education = [[Marquette University]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reiner |first1=Dan |title=Firestarter: Wilt’s ceaseless impact on Midwest soccer |url=https://marquettewire.org/3947365/sports/firestarter-wilts-unending-impact-on-midwest-soccer/ |website=Marquette Wire |access-date=24 February 2021 |date=14 April 2016}}</ref>
| occupation = President and CEO of [[Chicago House AC]]
| known_for = Founding member of:<br>[[Chicago Fire FC]]<br>[[Chicago Red Stars]]<br>[[Indy Eleven]]<br>[[National Independent Soccer Association]]<br>[[Forward Madison]]<br>[[Green Bay Voyageurs FC]]<br>[[Chicago House AC]]
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}}


⚫
'''Peter Wilt''' is a [[association football|soccer]] executive who was the first president and general manager of the [[Chicago Fire Soccer Club|Chicago Fire]] in [[Major League Soccer]]. He led an effort to expand the MLS franchise to [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], and maintains strong connections to the sport of soccer in the [[Midwest]], especially [[Chicago]]. Wilt is most known for his work with the Chicago Fire, where he gained a reputation for being a fan-friendly businessman in the soccer world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wilt to Toronto: Make it happen|url=http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/index.php?/page/articles.html/_/24th-minute/wilt-to-toronto-make-it-happen-r3097|website=Canadian Soccer News|accessdate=September 20, 2016}}</ref>
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He is also known as the Patron Saint of The Highbury, a sports bar in Milwaukee where he is known to appear frequently, where he invented [[Schlabst]], Milwaukee's Black and Tan. A mixture of bottled Schlitz beer and canned Pabst, poured into a pint glass. He also regularly spends time at Club Lago, an Italian restaurant in Chicago and has been known to regard it as his second office. Wilt was known for answering questions from fans through the [[BigSoccer]] Internet message boards,<ref>{{cite news |last=Hruby |first=Patrick |url=http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20030521-125924-1233r.htm |title=It came from the message boards |publisher=The Washington Times |date=2003-05-21 |accessdate=2007-01-18}}</ref> and now maintains his own blog on Chicago soccer issues.


== History ==
⚫
In 2005, Wilt left the Fire after [[Anschutz Entertainment Group]], the team's owner, replaced him with John Guppy. In 2006, he became the chief executive officer of Milwaukee Professional Soccer (a group bidding to bring an MLS franchise to Milwaukee), but left the position to become CEO of the [[Chicago Red Stars]] Chicago's [[Women's Professional Soccer]] team that started play in 2009. After one season, Wilt left the Red Stars for a front office position with the [[Milwaukee Wave]]. After one season with the Wave, Wilt founded the now defunct expansion MISL side [[Chicago Riot]].


Peter Wilt was born in [[McHenry, Illinois]], and gained his start in sports working for the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] baseball and [[Milwaukee Admirals]] hockey teams before breaking into soccer with the [[Milwaukee Wave]].<ref name="indystar">{{cite web|last1=Lynch|first1=Amy|title=5 Questions: Indy Eleven's Peter Wilt shares love of soccer|url=http://www.indystar.com/story/money/2015/04/11/questions-indy-elevens-peter-wilt-shares-love-soccer/25579641/|website=Indianapolis Star|accessdate=September 20, 2016}}</ref>
⚫
In late 2012, Wilt led an effort with a group of [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]] investors headed by Ersal Ozdemir to determine the viability of the market to support a [[North American Soccer League]] team in the city with eventual hopes to join MLS. On January 16, 2013, the league awarded Indianapolis the league's twelfth franchise, naming Wilt the team President that day. The team, known as [[Indy Eleven]], play began in the 2014 season.

⚫
Wilt was known for answering questions from fans through the [[BigSoccer]] Internet message boards,<ref>{{cite news |last=Hruby |first=Patrick |url=http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20030521-125924-1233r.htm |title=It came from the message boards |publisher=The Washington Times |date=May 21, 2003 |accessdate=January 18, 2007}}</ref> and now maintains his own blog on Chicago soccer issues.

⚫
In his seven seasons as Chicago's GM, the Fire won one [[MLS Cup Playoffs|MLS Cup]], three [[Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|U.S. Open Cups]] and one [[Supporters' Shield]]. In 2005, Wilt was fired by [[Anschutz Entertainment Group]], the team's owner, a move which was protested by fans in Chicago.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fire Fire Peter Wilt, Fans Protest At Season Opener|url=http://www.chicagoist.com/archives/2005/04/19/fire_fire_peter_wilt_fans_protest_at_season_opener.php/|website=Chicagoist|accessdate=September 20, 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427024413/http://chicagoist.com/archives/2005/04/19/fire_fire_peter_wilt_fans_protest_at_season_opener.php/|archivedate=April 27, 2012}}</ref> The following year, he became the chief executive officer of Milwaukee Professional Soccer (a group bidding to bring an MLS franchise to Milwaukee), but left the position to become CEO of the [[Chicago Red Stars]] Chicago's [[Women's Professional Soccer]] team that started play in 2009. After one season, Wilt left the Red Stars for a front office position with the [[Milwaukee Wave]]. After one season with the Wave, Wilt founded the now defunct expansion MISL side [[Chicago Riot]].

⚫
In late 2012, Wilt led an effort with a group of [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]] investors headed by Ersal Ozdemir to determine the viability of the market to support a [[North American Soccer League (2011–2017)|North American Soccer League]] team in the city with eventual hopes to join MLS.<ref name="indystar" /> On January 16, 2013, the league awarded Indianapolis the league's twelfth franchise, naming Wilt the team President that day. The team, known as [[Indy Eleven]], began play in the 2014 season.

In January 2016, Wilt stepped down from his role with the Indy 11 to pursue an NASL team in Chicago.<ref>{{cite web|title=JEFF BELSKUS NAMED INDY ELEVEN PRESIDENT|url=http://www.indyeleven.com/news/2016/01/11/jeff-belskus-named-indy-eleven-president-|website=Indy Eleven|accessdate=September 20, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Tolmich|first1=Ryan|title=Peter Wilt looking to revitalize soccer in Chicago with NASL project|url=http://sbisoccer.com/2016/02/peter-wilt-looking-to-revitalize-soccer-in-chicago-with-nasl-project|website=Sports by Ives|accessdate=September 20, 2016}}</ref> He later announced that works were in progress to secure short-term and long-term stadium options combined with exploring investors and supporter ownership structures.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kass|first1=John|title=Chicago needs a second soccer team|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/kass/ct-chicago-new-soccer-team-kass-0218-20160217-column.html|website=Chicago Tribune|accessdate=September 20, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Rivera|first1=Guillermo|title=NASL looking to expand in Chicago - new ownership group has expressed interest|url=http://www.chicagonow.com/fire-confidential/2015/04/nasl-looking-to-expand-in-chicago-new-ownership-group-has-expressed-interest/|website=Chicago Now|accessdate=September 20, 2016}}</ref>

On June 6, 2017, Wilt was announced that the newly formed [[National Independent Soccer Association]] would begin play in 2018 targeting an initial 8 to 10 teams, later revised to 8 to 12 teams.<ref name="About">{{cite news|title=About|url=http://www.nisaofficial.com/about/|accessdate=June 19, 2017|work=NISA|date=June 6, 2017}}</ref> The league has also outlined plans to introduce a [[Promotion and relegation|promotion/relegation]] system, once they reach their goal of 24 teams, the first in US professional soccer and in doing so act as a feeder league to the [[North American Soccer League (2011–2017)|North American Soccer League]].<ref name="New league seeks to finally bring pro/rel to US soccer">{{cite news|title=New league seeks to finally bring pro/rel to US soccer|url=http://www.nisaofficial.com/2017/06/14/new-league-seeks-to-finally-bring-prorel-to-us-soccer/|accessdate=June 19, 2017|work=NISA|date=June 14, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=City said to be ripe for pro soccer|url=http://www.journalgazette.net/sports/20170628/city-said-to-be-ripe-for-pro-soccer|accessdate=August 7, 2017|date=June 28, 2017}}</ref>

On May 17, 2018, Wilt left the NISA to help start up a future professional team in [[Madison, Wisconsin]] of the [[USL League One]], later named [[Forward Madison FC]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Big Top hires Peter Wilt to launch pro soccer team at Breese Stevens Field in 2019|url=http://host.madison.com/wsj/sports/soccer/big-top-hires-peter-wilt-to-launch-pro-soccer-team/article_af2079d4-e2af-588a-addd-00ec12828211.html|accessdate=May 17, 2018|date=May 17, 2018}}</ref> A committee of club owners has been formed to elect new leadership within the organization.<ref>{{cite news|title=Committee Formed to Select New NISA Leadership|url=http://www.nisaofficial.com/2018/05/17/committee-formed-to-select-new-nisa-leadership/|accessdate=May 21, 2018|date=May 17, 2018}}</ref> Wilt was also named the managing director of [[Green Bay Voyageurs FC]], Forward Madison's affiliate in [[USL League Two]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bollier |first1=Jeff |title=League soccer to kick it at Capital Credit Union Park beginning in 2019 |url=https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2018/10/27/pro-soccer-arrives-usl-league-2-play-ashwaubenon-united-soccer-green-bay/1773641002/ |website=greenbaypressgazette.com |publisher=Green Bay Press Gazette |accessdate=February 13, 2019}}</ref>

On October 24, 2019, Forward Madison announced Wilt's departure from the club in order to take a role with the USL.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Milewski |first1=Todd |title=Peter Wilt leaves Forward Madison FC managing director role for job with USL |url=https://madison.com/wsj/sports/soccer/peter-wilt-leaves-forward-madison-fc-managing-director-role-for/article_fa8f0a80-994c-5af1-b571-5e360e5ffd6b.html |website=Wisconsin State Journal |accessdate=October 24, 2019}}</ref>

On September 10, 2020, the [[National Independent Soccer Association]] (NISA) announced that an investor group, led by league founder [[Peter Wilt]], had applied for a club to play in the Chicago market.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kennedy |first1=Paul |title=Peter Wilt launches another start-up, in another league |url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/86714/peter-wilt-launches-another-start-up-in-another-l.html |website=www.socceramerica.com |access-date=28 January 2021 |language=en}} {{subscription required}}</ref>

On January 10, 2024, the [[Open Soccer Alliance]] with Peter Wilt as chief strategic officer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-23 |title=Open Soccer Alliance Makes Its Case |url=https://www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage/osa-open-soccer-alliance |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=Protagonist Soccer |language=en-US}}</ref> The group was created to, "To unite advocates for an open system structure of professional and amateur soccer."<ref>{{Cite web |title=OPEN SOCCER ALLIANCE LAUNCHES WITH AUTHENTIC VISION TO UNITE OPEN SYSTEM ADVOCATES AND REPLICATE GLOBAL SOCCER STRUCTURE {{!}} Open Soccer Alliance |url=https://opensocceralliance.com/2024/01/10/open-soccer-alliance-launches-with-vision-to-unite-open-system-advocates-and-replicate-global-soccer-structure/ |access-date=2024-03-31 |language=en-US}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references/>
*http://www.bigsoccer.com/soccer/dwreck1971/2012/10/25/damarcus-beasley-to-a-new-nasl-indianapolis-franchise-in-2014-w-peter-wilt-part-2/


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.chicagonasl.com/ Chicago NASL]
*[http://www.soccerloop.com/interviews/peter.wilt/ October 2004 Interview]
*[http://www.soccerloop.com/interviews/peter.wilt/ October 2004 Interview]
*[http://www.chicagoist.com/archives/2005/04/19/fire_fire_peter_wilt_fans_protest_at_season_opener.php/ 2005 "Chicagoist" story about Wilt's dismissal]
*[http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?3709-Wilt-to-Toronto-Make-it-happen]
*[http://www.milwaukeeprosoccer.com/bio_pwilt.asp/ Milwaukee Pro Soccer profile]
{{Indy Eleven}}
{{Chicago Red Stars}}
{{Chicago Fire}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
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| NAME = Wilt, Pete
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American soccer executive
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilt, Pete}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilt, Pete}}
[[Category:Chicago Fire Soccer Club]]
[[Category:Chicago Fire FC]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer executives]]
[[Category:Major League Soccer executives]]
[[Category:People from McHenry County, Illinois]]
[[Category:People from McHenry, Illinois]]
[[Category:Sports in Milwaukee, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Sports in Milwaukee]]
[[Category:American soccer chairmen and investors]]
[[Category:American soccer chairmen and investors]]
[[Category:Indy Eleven]]
[[Category:Indy Eleven]]
[[Category:Forward Madison FC]]

[[Category:1960 births]]

{{US-footy-bio-stub}}

Latest revision as of 00:23, 31 March 2024

Peter Wilt
Born1960 (age 63–64)
McHenry, Illinois
EducationMarquette University[1]
Occupation(s)President and CEO of Chicago House AC
Known forFounding member of:
Chicago Fire FC
Chicago Red Stars
Indy Eleven
National Independent Soccer Association
Forward Madison
Green Bay Voyageurs FC
Chicago House AC

Peter Wilt is a soccer executive who was the first president and general manager of the Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer. He led an effort to expand the MLS franchise to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and maintains strong connections to the sport of soccer in the Midwest, especially Chicago. Wilt is most known for his work with the Chicago Fire, where he gained a reputation for being a fan-friendly businessman in the soccer world.[2]

History[edit]

Peter Wilt was born in McHenry, Illinois, and gained his start in sports working for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball and Milwaukee Admirals hockey teams before breaking into soccer with the Milwaukee Wave.[3]

Wilt was known for answering questions from fans through the BigSoccer Internet message boards,[4] and now maintains his own blog on Chicago soccer issues.

In his seven seasons as Chicago's GM, the Fire won one MLS Cup, three U.S. Open Cups and one Supporters' Shield. In 2005, Wilt was fired by Anschutz Entertainment Group, the team's owner, a move which was protested by fans in Chicago.[5] The following year, he became the chief executive officer of Milwaukee Professional Soccer (a group bidding to bring an MLS franchise to Milwaukee), but left the position to become CEO of the Chicago Red Stars Chicago's Women's Professional Soccer team that started play in 2009. After one season, Wilt left the Red Stars for a front office position with the Milwaukee Wave. After one season with the Wave, Wilt founded the now defunct expansion MISL side Chicago Riot.

In late 2012, Wilt led an effort with a group of Indianapolis, Indiana investors headed by Ersal Ozdemir to determine the viability of the market to support a North American Soccer League team in the city with eventual hopes to join MLS.[3] On January 16, 2013, the league awarded Indianapolis the league's twelfth franchise, naming Wilt the team President that day. The team, known as Indy Eleven, began play in the 2014 season.

In January 2016, Wilt stepped down from his role with the Indy 11 to pursue an NASL team in Chicago.[6][7] He later announced that works were in progress to secure short-term and long-term stadium options combined with exploring investors and supporter ownership structures.[8][9]

On June 6, 2017, Wilt was announced that the newly formed National Independent Soccer Association would begin play in 2018 targeting an initial 8 to 10 teams, later revised to 8 to 12 teams.[10] The league has also outlined plans to introduce a promotion/relegation system, once they reach their goal of 24 teams, the first in US professional soccer and in doing so act as a feeder league to the North American Soccer League.[11][12]

On May 17, 2018, Wilt left the NISA to help start up a future professional team in Madison, Wisconsin of the USL League One, later named Forward Madison FC.[13] A committee of club owners has been formed to elect new leadership within the organization.[14] Wilt was also named the managing director of Green Bay Voyageurs FC, Forward Madison's affiliate in USL League Two.[15]

On October 24, 2019, Forward Madison announced Wilt's departure from the club in order to take a role with the USL.[16]

On September 10, 2020, the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) announced that an investor group, led by league founder Peter Wilt, had applied for a club to play in the Chicago market.[17]

On January 10, 2024, the Open Soccer Alliance with Peter Wilt as chief strategic officer.[18] The group was created to, "To unite advocates for an open system structure of professional and amateur soccer."[19]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Reiner, Dan (April 14, 2016). "Firestarter: Wilt's ceaseless impact on Midwest soccer". Marquette Wire. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  2. ^ "Wilt to Toronto: Make it happen". Canadian Soccer News. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  3. ^ a b Lynch, Amy. "5 Questions: Indy Eleven's Peter Wilt shares love of soccer". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  4. ^ Hruby, Patrick (May 21, 2003). "It came from the message boards". The Washington Times. Retrieved January 18, 2007.
  5. ^ "Fire Fire Peter Wilt, Fans Protest At Season Opener". Chicagoist. Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  6. ^ "JEFF BELSKUS NAMED INDY ELEVEN PRESIDENT". Indy Eleven. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  7. ^ Tolmich, Ryan. "Peter Wilt looking to revitalize soccer in Chicago with NASL project". Sports by Ives. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  8. ^ Kass, John. "Chicago needs a second soccer team". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  9. ^ Rivera, Guillermo. "NASL looking to expand in Chicago - new ownership group has expressed interest". Chicago Now. Retrieved September 20, 2016.
  10. ^ "About". NISA. June 6, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  11. ^ "New league seeks to finally bring pro/rel to US soccer". NISA. June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  12. ^ "City said to be ripe for pro soccer". June 28, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  13. ^ "Big Top hires Peter Wilt to launch pro soccer team at Breese Stevens Field in 2019". May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  14. ^ "Committee Formed to Select New NISA Leadership". May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  15. ^ Bollier, Jeff. "League soccer to kick it at Capital Credit Union Park beginning in 2019". greenbaypressgazette.com. Green Bay Press Gazette. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  16. ^ Milewski, Todd. "Peter Wilt leaves Forward Madison FC managing director role for job with USL". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
  17. ^ Kennedy, Paul. "Peter Wilt launches another start-up, in another league". www.socceramerica.com. Retrieved January 28, 2021. (subscription required)
  18. ^ "Open Soccer Alliance Makes Its Case". Protagonist Soccer. January 23, 2024. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  19. ^ "OPEN SOCCER ALLIANCE LAUNCHES WITH AUTHENTIC VISION TO UNITE OPEN SYSTEM ADVOCATES AND REPLICATE GLOBAL SOCCER STRUCTURE | Open Soccer Alliance". Retrieved March 31, 2024.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Peter_Wilt&oldid=1216435952"