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NEW YORK (Friday, February 10, 2023) – MLS NEXT announced Justin Bokmeyer as the program's first general manager. In this role, Bokmeyer is responsible for managing and executing all MLS NEXT programs to improve and elevate the quality of competition, talent identification, education, compliance, and club membership. As general manager, he oversees all MLS NEXT full-time employees and consultants, while also collaborating with staff at Major League Soccer and MLS NEXT members.
Bokmeyer comes to MLS NEXT with more than 15 years of leadership experience, including six years in professional and collegiate sports. Since 2018, Bokmeyer worked for the National Basketball Association (NBA) where he led strategic initiatives within International Basketball Operations, helping guide the considerable growth and success of the NBA Academy program. He also was instrumental in supporting the creation and launch of the Basketball Africa League, the first North American-based sports league on the African continent. Bokmeyer played a leading role in developing the league, including oversight of basketball operations and coordination across the 12 African countries with participating teams. Prior to his time with the NBA, he spent two years as the director of lacrosse operations at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Bokmeyer also spent 11 years on active duty in the United States Army. During that time, he served as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer at Fort Carson, Colo. and Nasiriyah, Iraq, earned a Master of Business Administration from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, and commanded the Lewisville Recruiting Company in Dallas.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to join Major League Soccer and lead MLS NEXT,” said Bokmeyer. “The responsibility to lead a program that involves the holistic development of MLS NEXT staff and players is one that I do not take lightly. The future is extremely bright not just for MLS, but for soccer in North America, and MLS NEXT will play a substantial role in creating that future.”
A native of El Cajon, Calif., Bokmeyer played lacrosse at West Point and graduated with a degree in business management and legal studies. Bokmeyer was given the Lt. Ray Enners/Chris Pettit Memorial Award in both 2007 and 2008, presented to the top offensive player on the team. He went on to play two years for the Denver Outlaws in Major League Lacrosse.
About MLS NEXT
MLS NEXT is a new paradigm for player development, launched in 2020 to transform youth soccer in North America. Founded on a collaborative approach to governance and a commitment to innovation, MLS NEXT players have access to the highest level of competition, training and personal development opportunities that will prepare them for their futures, both in soccer and in life. Membership for the 2022-23 season includes 137 clubs, 628 teams and over 13,000 players across the U.S. and Canada. Official partners of MLS NEXT include adidas, Allstate, DoorDash, and the University of South Carolina. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext
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