Atlanta United CEO Takes Leave Of Absence After Cancer Diagnosis

ATLANTA, GA — Atlanta United's top executive is taking an indefinite leave of absence after a recent cancer diagnosis, the professional soccer team announced Thursday.

Garth Lagerwey, Atlanta United's president and chief executive officer, is undergoing treatment, according to a news release. The type of cancer was not revealed.

It is not known when Lagerwey will return to his role, the team said.

“I have made the difficult decision to step back from Atlanta United to tackle my cancer treatment head-on. 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," Lagerwey said in the release.

"I could not possibly work for a better organization than (AMB Sports and Entertainment). Atlanta United has a high-performing leadership team in place on the business and soccer sides of the club. … In the meantime, I’m looking forward to seeing our fans again soon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. I shall return.”

Chief Soccer Officer Chris Henderson, Chief Business Officer Skate Noftsinger and Senior Vice President of Strategy Dimitrios Efstathiou will lead Atlanta United's daily departmental operations in the interim, the team said.

The trio will report to Lagerwey and Rich McKay, chief executive officer of AMB Sports and Entertainment, the team said.

“Garth has assembled an outstanding executive team that will handle the day-to-day responsibilities in his absence,” McKay said in the release. “During this time, our entire leadership group at AMBSE will also be fully available to provide any additional support. The Blank Family of Businesses will be fully supportive of Garth and his family during his absence.”

Lagerwey, an Illinois native, assumed his role of CEO and president of Atlanta United in Nov. 22, 2022, according to his biography.

Aside from the mainstream soccer team, he took leadership of Atlanta United 2 and the Atlanta United Academy.

With Lagerwey at the helm, Atlanta United has consistently qualified for the playoffs, according to his biography. Nationally, the Atlanta United ranks 13th in the Eastern Conference this year.

Lagerwey has spent at least 15 years as a Major League Soccer executive, including an eight-year stint in Seattle, where the Sounders won two MLS Cup championships in 2016 and 2019 and twice made the MLS Cup final, according to his biography.

“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,” Atlanta United owner and chairman Arthur M. Blank said in the release.

“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. I have complete confidence in our leadership team and players as we navigate this transition together. 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.”

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