Joe Wagoner · @wagonerwithano
27th Jun 2019 from TwitLonger
Last Day with SRFC. Nothing but love and gratitude in my heart...
To all Republic FC fans, supporters, friends and family: I want to take a moment to let you all know today is my last day with SRFC. This is a positive development that has been in the works for many months. When we sold Republic FC to Kevin Nagle in May of 2017, the agreement was that I'd stay fully engaged until the end goal was imminent and new employees were settled. We are there. That means it's time to turn the page on my role in this story.
Having the privilege of being an SRFC cofounder (a title I should share with my wife, Rachel, as she has sacrificed as much as anybody for this club), is an honor my family and I will treasure forever. Watching the evolution of this organization has been the thrill of a lifetime.
To say the odds were stacked against this club ever kicking a ball is an understatement. We didn’t have soccer business experience, a team, fans, a stadium or investors. In 2013, the “experts” said professional soccer in Sacramento wouldn’t draw more than 3,000 fans per match. Twelve months after that prediction, we announced our third consecutive Hughes Stadium sellout of 20,231 fans.
Sacramento wasn’t included on Don Garber’s 2013 ‘State of the League’ MLS expansion map. One year later, SRFC was considered a top 4 expansion market. Fast-forward to today, this organization awaits an announcement that will, both literally and figuratively, change the landscape of our city forever.
Looking back on the last eight years, what makes me most proud is the fact that we accomplished the most important goal. We created an atmosphere that openly invited all people regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, social status, or appearance. If you believe in love and acceptance, a community was created that celebrated you. That is the ultimate win.
I leave the organization with nothing but love and gratitude in my heart for the club and the entire SRFC family. As for the Wagoner family, Sacramento is our home... we're not going anywhere. My plan moving forward is to continue to contribute to the Sacramento region in positive and game-changing ways. I look forward to unveiling these exciting new ideas once a few more details are aligned.
I could go on and on thanking everyone who helped build this club, but we’d be here all day. There will be a time and place for the appropriate thank yous. With that said, special quick thanks to my wife Rachel and our kids who took every step of this journey with me, our early investors who believed in the effort, and the supporters who turned an idea into a movement…. this only exists because of you.
Stay tuned … more to come!
I’m at joeRwagoner@gmail.com if you want to talk.
Here’s a few fun pics… https://photos.app.goo.gl/cayxsaRPFEK1cHBcA