Josh Glessing — Haslam Sports Group Chief of Strategy and Development & Crew President of Business Operations

Josh Glessing has served as the Columbus Crew’s President of Business Operations since October 2023 and as Chief of Strategy and Development for Haslams Sports Group (HSG) since 2019. In his capacity with the Crew, Glessing oversees business efforts including ticket sales, corporate partnerships, fan experience, marketing, events, stadium operations, fan experience and administration. In addition to his responsibilities with the Crew, Glessing focuses on strategic business and growth initiatives for the HSG portfolio of companies encompassing the NFL’S Cleveland Browns, NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, HSG Ventures and HSG Real Estate. He also leads all merger and acquisition activity including the identification and execution of opportunities to elevate the HSG portfolio.

In each of Glessing’s two full seasons as President of Business Operations, the Crew set Club records and ranked among the top of MLS for multiple revenue categories, including corporate partnerships, ticketing and premium sales. The Crew in 2024 and 2025 reached their season ticket capacity, their first years accomplishing the feat, highlighted by a stretch of 34 MLS sellouts including postseason contests across the campaigns. The Club had full crowds for all 17 regular season home matches during the third full season in Lower.com Field, breaking previous single-season highs of 15 in 2023 and seven (twice) prior to his tenure.

Following the Black & Gold’s 2023 MLS Cup championship season, the Club also developed one of the most active and engaging soccer calendars in North America. With the Crew’s efforts, Lower.com Field hosted 2024 MLS All-Star Game Week; the Leagues Cup Showcase match against English Premier League and UEFA Champions League qualifiers Aston Villa; and open training sessions for EPL bluebloods Manchester City F.C. and Chelsea F.C. ahead of the friendly the Club supported at Ohio Stadium. Impressively, all these major events occurred in the Heart of American Soccer during a span of less than three weeks. In addition to these marquee moments, the Crew won Leagues Cup 2024; reached the Concacaf Champions Cup Final for the first time in their history; and executed the SheBelieves Cup Final/Third Place matches (women’s national team from the USA, Japan, Canada and Brazil) and 2024 Campeones Cup between the Crew and LIGA MX’s Club America.

Lower.com Field, a finalist for the 2022 SportsBusiness Journal Awards Sports Facility of the Year, is the catalyst for these major international events, which generated more than $50 million in local economic impact in 2024, per the Greater Columbus Sports Commission. The venue is also the centerpiece for the mixed-use development of Astor Park, which in 2024 welcomed its first corporate tenant in the 120,000 square-foot, Class A office building; fully debuted its 780-car garage; and unveiled three public art murals from local and globally recognized artists. Future amenities will include residential and retail spaces, plus public park and recreation areas to benefit the community.

A member of HSG’s executive team, Glessing oversees the development and investment strategy of HSG Ventures, an investment vehicle focused on investing in sports, entertainment, media and technology. Select HSG Ventures investments include: WNBA (league-level), DudePerfect, Homage, Aston Martin Racing (F1) StatusPro, Misfits Gaming Group, Courtside VC, Wicket, Jackpot.com and others.

Prior to joining HSG, Glessing was a Vice President in the Global Sports Finance and Advisory Group within the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs (2013-2019). He specialized in advisory and finance engagements related to sports franchises, including merger and acquisition and development projects. In this capacity, he represented ownership groups in leagues across the world including the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, EPL and Serie A. He previously advised states and local governments on large-scale capital projects with PFM Group.

Glessing sits on the board of Misfits Gaming Group and is a board observer of StatusPro and Homage on behalf of HSG Ventures. He is also a Board Member and Executive Committee member of the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and Board Member of the Confluence Community Authority, which owns Lower.com Field and issues public debt to help fund stadium construction costs.

Originally from Wisconsin, Glessing earned a bachelor’s degree in public affairs from Indiana University. He currently resides in Columbus with his wife, Sarah, daughter, Greta and son, Charlie.