Soccer may be a passionate sport for many of us, but in the end, it is still a business for many professionals in the game. Todd Kline is one of them, as he has proved it by switching to a rival club. Football fans regularly see players and managers change clubs, with some even moving directly to rival clubs.
Similarly, some clubs also try to acquire higher-ranking officials from other clubs, such as sporting directors and such, to improve their operations. Chelsea has now managed to attract an essential member from a rival club.
Who is Todd Kline?
Todd Kline is fairly unknown among many fans but has been in the sport for some time. He was most recently involved with Tottenham Hotspur as the Chief Commercial Officer, responsible for financial revenue streams such as naming rights and sponsors.
With over 20 years of experience working with sports clubs and franchises, Kline was brought in during 2021 as the board wanted to secure a big and lucrative name for the naming rights of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. A significant naming partner could have helped them generate revenue, providing a substantial boost.
Todd Kline landed an 18 year naming rights deal for the Miami Dolphins with the Hard Rock group worth $10m a year.
— McLean (@cockneymacks) February 11, 2021
He's our new chief commercial officer. Not sure what the sponsorship climate is out there with Covid but he's got his work cut out to get us something big.
The American is famed for his contributions during his time in the United States when he was involved with the NFL team Miami Dolphins. He had secured a 18 year deal with entertainment venue giants Hard Rock paying out ÂŁ180 million to name the now famous stadium the Hard Rock Stadium. Todd is also credited with helping NFL team Denver Broncos home stadium to be renamed the Empower Field at Mile High Stadium.
What led to Todd Kline’s decision to leave Tottenham?
Seeing that Todd Kline had experience and success in the role, Tottenham had anticipated completing a naming rights deal with a major partner soon. However, after three years of no success in many deals, coupled with the departure of several long-serving and well-liked members of the club, he was perceived as a failure.
Kline eventually resigned earlier this day and has been placed on gardening leave. He has set his sights on another London club, Chelsea, a direct rival of Tottenham. The Blues, with American owners, have approached him to join them, and he has accepted. He can only officially join after his gardening leave is finished at Tottenham.
🚨🔵 Understand Todd Kline is set to join Chelsea in the next months after leaving Tottenham role as commercial chief officer.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 5, 2024
He’s been placed on gardening leave as reported by @Matt_Law_DT — told he will join Chelsea right after.
Agreement almost done with #CFC. pic.twitter.com/g4YBs7by6c
Chelsea expect Kline to help them secure long term sustainability by building up revenue streams. He will be given a senior position at the club and he will be involved in their stadium renovation efforts. All the details are still unknown but it seems Chelsea have procured another individual to help them in their long process, with another also expected to join on the pitch in the summer.
