New President of Tulsa Roughnecks FC sees strong potential for growth for the club
James Cannon knows the game and business of soccer well.
Most recently spending three years at Nashville Soccer Club, Cannon comes to Tulsa with years of expertise in the sport and business world. He was recently appointed as the new President of the Tulsa Roughnecks FC team.
While in Nashville, Cannon, 41, helped oversee the club’s growth from an amateur team to a Major League Soccer expansion franchise. As the Vice President of Marketing, Nashville SC broke the league’s inaugural season ticket record in the club’s first professional season in 2018. In February of 2019, Cannon led the launch of Nashville SC’s MLS branding and identity in the Music City.
“I learned valuable skills in Nashville that I hope to build upon in Tulsa,” Cannon said. “Under the new leadership of the Craft family, I believe we can positively change the trajectory of the team and gain new fans and supporters throughout Tulsa and surrounding areas.”
Tulsa, he said, is seeing unprecedented growth in a variety of business and recreational sectors, and he thinks Tulsa Roughnecks FC is in a prominent position to grow and develop. In fact, there are many exciting changes coming that will affect the team, the club and its supporters. Those exciting changes will be announced over the coming months.
“We hope to engage a wide variety of fans, and we are planning how to best reach the widest audience and make a Tulsa Roughnecks FC game a go-to destination for those looking for sports, recreation, friendship and sportsmanship,” he said.
Cannon spent a large portion of his professional career working in Brazil as a marketing executive for both the NBA and for Octagon, leading initiatives in business development, sales, marketing, digital and social media. He is fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese.
“While I have been fortunate to live and work all over the world, my family and I are thrilled to make Tulsa our new home,” Cannon said. “This is such a unique and diverse city, known for its amazing food, music and art. With the help of our new owners, the Craft brothers, we’re ready to put Tulsa on the map for professional soccer.”
