Meet the NWSL’s three new senior execs 08/19/2022

The NWSL has filled the positions of Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Sporting Director and Chief Operating Officer/Legal Officer.

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Julia Haddon
(Head of Marketing)

The work: Oversee the planning, development and execution of the league’s advertising, media, fan/player marketing, promotions, social media, influencers, research and branding activities across all platforms. Also, drive the development and implementation of new growth strategies across the league, execute licensing and e-commerce, and establish a marketing innovation pipeline to grow audiences and maximize league revenue opportunities.

Experience: Haddon spent five years with the NFL, most recently as senior vice president of global brand and consumer marketing. She spearheaded innovative branding campaigns around the organization’s tentpole events, from the Super Bowl to the NFL Draft, to the Social Justice League’s branding initiatives, and legalized sports betting fan engagement. She founded and served as Executive Sponsor of NFL Pride, the league’s first-ever LGBTQ+ group dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Soccer: As an investor, Haddon joined the Chicago Red Stars ownership group in 2021 and parted ways with the club before taking up her role at the league office. Currently on the Board of FuboTV and TOCA Football (soccer).

Personally: Attended Indiana University where she was on the Hoosiers softball team. Lives in California with her wife and three children.

Tatyana Hanni
(Chief Sport Director)

The work: Work with women players, league officials and stakeholders to implement sporting strategies that distinguish and sustain the NWSL as the world’s leading women’s professional soccer league. Also lead the development of processes, policies and programs to identify, attract, retain and develop the world’s best players, coaches and umpires. Work closely with FIFA, Concacaf and US Soccer to support and advance the goals and initiatives of the NWSL.

Experience: Most recently she was director of women’s football at the Swiss Football Association (SFA). Prior to that, she spent more than 18 years at FIFA, where her roles included Deputy Director and Head of Women’s Competitions, overseeing all aspects of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. She started her sports business career at UEFA on the women’s side. Served as cCoach and President of FC Zurich Women.

Personally: Played for the Swiss national team. Holds a UEFA A coaching license. Haenni received his MBA in Sports Management from the University of Bayreuth in Germany.

Bill Ordower
(Chief Operating Officer & Chief Legal Officer)

The work: Oversee the NWSL’s player affairs and operations, including the negotiation and administration of all player rosters and contracts, the disciplinary process, and match and medical operations. Responsible for all legal matters including expansion, team acquisition and investments, governance, compliance, intellectual property, commercial transactions, investigations and litigation.

Experience: Came from the law firm ArentFox Schiff LLP, where he was a partner. Prior to his time with the company, Ordower spent 23 years with Major League Soccer and Soccer United Marketing in a variety of roles including operations, player relations, legal and economics. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of Business Ventures for MLS, spearheading the league’s sports betting strategy and prior to that as the league’s General Counsel.

Personally: A native of St. Louis, Missouri, he received his bachelor’s degree in English from Boston University and his law degree from George Washington University Law School. lives in New Jersey with his wife, three children and three dogs.