The LA Galaxy promote Chris Klein to team President

The LA Galaxy announced today that they have hired Chris Klein as team President. The position has been vacant since the Galaxy let Tom Payne go in February of last year. Payne had been President of Business Operations for three years, promoted from Assistant General Manager after Alexi Lalas was fired from his position as Galaxy President and General Manager (link).

When Bruce Arena was named Head Coach, he also took the title of General Manager. Tom Payne was given the job full time after an interim period, and then Chris McGowan took over the duties of President as Chief Operating Officer of AEG's sports wing after Payne was fired. McGowan then left AEG and took a job with the Portland Trailblazers. Kelly Cheeseman has been COO since then.

Chris Klein was made Vice President in February of 2012, after starting out as Senior Director of the Galaxy Academy after his retirement in 2010. His role with the academy will likely be transitioned to new Technical Director Jovan Kirovski as Klein steps into the President role.

"We have always been impressed with Chris’ commitment and desire to excel on the business side of sports, and we have great confidence and faith that he will take the LA Galaxy to new levels," said AEG President and CEO Tim Leiweke. "What makes Chris even more valuable to the Galaxy is his ability to understand our academy system, our development system and the partnership he has with Bruce will allow the Galaxy to continue to compete for championships year after year."