Tim Bezbatchenko is once again calling Ohio home, this time not as a club executive but as the newly appointed President of Global Soccer for Haslam Sports Group (HSG). The move brings the seasoned administrator back to the city where he previously steered the Columbus Crew to two MLS Cups and a Concacaf Champions Cup Final.
A Strategic Homecoming
With more than 17 years of experience in global soccer leadership, Bezbatchenko returns armed with a résumé that includes three MLS Cups, one MLS Supporters’ Shield, and two Concacaf Champions Cup Finals appearances. His track record of building championship‑contending squads and navigating high‑stakes transfers precedes him.
During his tenure as Crew President and General Manager from 2019 to mid‑2024, he oversaw the club’s most prolific transfer windows, the hiring of Head Coach Wilfried Nancy, and the development of home‑grown talent that powered the team to its first Concacaf Champions Cup Final in 2024.
Building the Future of Columbus Soccer
Bezbatchenko will now supervise every sporting element for the upcoming Columbus NWSL franchise, the established Columbus Crew, and HSG’s broader investments in domestic and international soccer. He will report directly to owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam and collaborate closely with President of Business Operations Mary Shepro, forming the first executive duo tasked with shaping the strategic direction of both the men’s and women’s clubs.
The appointment comes as the Crew looks to build on recent successes, including a 2023 MLS Cup, a 2021 Campeones Cup triumph, and a historic run to the Concacaf Champions Cup Final. The club also celebrated a 2022 MLS NEXT Pro Cup with Crew 2 and earned Academy of the Year honors in 2023, underscoring a robust development pipeline.
A Global Network
Having spent the past two years with Black Knight Football Club, a consortium that includes AFC Bournemouth, FC Lorient, Moreirense FC, Hibernian FC, Toronto FC, and Middlesbrough FC, Bezbatchenko helped guide Bournemouth to a record points total and Europa League qualification, while Lorient captured the Ligue 2 title and Moreirense finished seventh in the Primeira Liga. These experiences broaden the strategic toolkit he brings to Columbus.
His global perspective will also inform the club’s approach to high‑profile signings. Notably, the Crew’s acquisition of Forward Cucho Hernández set a franchise transfer‑fee record, and his subsequent move to Real Betis earned the player MLS Cup MVP honors and a place on the 2023 MLS Best XI before a February 2025 transfer to La Liga.
Leadership and Vision
Bezbatchenko will work alongside a seasoned leadership group that includes Dee and Jimmy Haslam, Mary Shepro, and a roster of key players such as Aidan Morris, Patrick Schulte, Sean Zawadzki, Mohamed Farsi, and Cucho Hernández. Together, they aim to blend on‑field competitiveness with off‑field growth, leveraging the club’s academy pedigree and expanding its footprint across North America and beyond.