Atlanta United CEO Garth Lagerwey Steps Away: Battle with Cancer Forces Leave of Absence.
  • 357 views
  • 2 min read

Atlanta United President and CEO Garth Lagerwey is taking an indefinite leave of absence after being diagnosed with cancer. The announcement was made on Thursday, July 10, 2025, with the club stating that Lagerwey has already begun treatment. The team has not disclosed the specific type of cancer, nor have they provided a timeline for his return. However, the prognosis for a complete recovery is encouraging.

Lagerwey, 52, issued a statement expressing his gratitude to Arthur Blank, owner of Atlanta United, for his support. He also voiced his confidence in the team's leadership to continue the club's success in his absence. "I have made the difficult decision to step back from Atlanta United to tackle my cancer treatment head-on,” Lagerwey said. “I would like to express my profound gratitude to Arthur Blank for not only his support, but by doing everything in his power to make this process as painless as possible for me and my family. I could not possibly work for a better organization than AMBSE".

Arthur Blank also released a statement in support of Lagerwey, saying, “On behalf of myself, Atlanta United, and the entire Blank family of businesses, we stand fully behind Garth and his family as they navigate this difficult challenge,”. Blank added, “Garth's resilience and optimism are part of what makes him such an exceptional leader, and I know he'll carry those strengths in the days ahead".

During Lagerwey's absence, Director of Soccer Operations Chris Henderson, Vice President Sarah Kate “Skate” Noftsinger, and Senior Vice President of Strategy Dimitrios Efstathiou will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise. Lagerwey stated he has full confidence in their abilities to lead the club. Chris Henderson will manage the soccer side of the club, including transfers. Sarah Kate Noftsinger will lead the business operations. Javier Perez will continue his role as director of methodology, coordinating the academy teams and Atlanta United 2. Lagerwey and Rich McKay, CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment, will receive regular reports from the leadership team.

Lagerwey was hired as President of Atlanta United in November 2022, after a successful tenure with Seattle Sounders FC, where he led the team to two MLS titles and a CONCACAF Champions League victory. Since joining Atlanta United, Lagerwey has overseen significant investments in the club, including a $23 million expansion of the training ground and a realignment of the front office.

Atlanta United failed to make the playoffs in 2023 but qualified in 2024 by defeating Montreal and Inter Miami. Their performance this season puts them on pace to miss the playoffs.

The news of Lagerwey's diagnosis has been met with an outpouring of support from the Atlanta United community and the broader MLS. The club and its fans are hoping for his swift and full recovery. "We all look forward to welcoming Garth back in the future and will be praying for him and his family's continued strength, and a smooth recovery,” Blank said.


Writer - Kabir Verma
Thoughtful, analytical, and with a passion for sports, Kabir is drawn to in-depth reporting and exploring complex social issues within his region. He's currently developing research skills, learning to synthesize information from various sources for comprehensive, nuanced articles. Kabir, also an avid sports enthusiast, believes in the power of long-form journalism to provide a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing his community.
Advertisement

Latest Post


Tottenham Hotspur has officially announced the signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United. The 24-year-old Ghanaian international has agreed to a six-year contract with the North London club, marking one of the most exciting acquisitions of the s...
  • 264 views
  • 2 min

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the San Jose Sharks completed a trade on Thursday, July 10, 2025, sending veteran forward Ryan Reaves to San Jose in exchange for defenseman Henry Thrun. Thrun, a 24-year-old defenseman, had 12 points (two goals, 10 assis...
  • 515 views
  • 2 min

Wiaan Mulder's recent decision to declare South Africa's innings at 626/5, while he was batting at an unbeaten 367, has stirred a significant debate in the cricket world. Mulder's score is the highest ever by a South African batter in Tests, surpassi...
  • 461 views
  • 2 min

Day 1 of the third Test between England and India at Lord's Cricket Ground witnessed an unusual interruption when a swarm of ladybugs invaded the pitch, causing a brief halt in play. The incident occurred during the final session on Thursday, leaving...
  • 488 views
  • 2 min

Advertisement
Riola Xhemaili's last-gasp goal secured a 1-1 draw for Switzerland against Finland, sending the host nation through to the quarter-finals of the Women's Euro 2025. The late equalizer sparked celebrations among the Swiss supporters while simultaneousl...
  • 201 views
  • 2 min

Upper Deck has launched a new line of trading cards that merges the worlds of hockey and DC Super Heroes. The collection, titled 2025 DC Fanimation Crossover, is available for a limited time exclusively through the Upper Deck e-Pack online platform. ...
  • 401 views
  • 2 min

The Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins recently completed a trade involving defensemen, with Matt Dumba and a 2028 second-round pick heading to Pittsburgh in exchange for Vladislav Kolyachonok. Here's a breakdown of the trade and a look at how each...
  • 217 views
  • 2 min

The Edmonton Oilers have revealed updated jersey numbers, signaling changes within the team's forward lineup. This update confirms that the team is parting ways with at least one forward as new players arrive and claim available jersey numbers. **Ne...
  • 397 views
  • 2 min

Advertisement
About   •   Terms   •   Privacy
© 2025 SportsBuzz360