Sources: Prem chief Scholes to lead top-tier USL

Sources: Prem chief Scholes to lead top-tier USL

Briefly

"The USL has hired English Premier League chief football officer Tony Scholes to head up the organization's new Division One league, which will likely begin play in 2028, sources confirmed to ESPN. Scholes will officially begin his new role in the summer of 2026 after finishing up his duties for the current EPL season. An official announcement is expected as early as Monday."

"The USL announced its intention to create a new top-tier league last March, which will sit atop the existing USL Championship, USL League One and USL League two, and will include the implementation of a system of promotion and relegation that will involve the Championship and League One. Sources confirmed that Scholes will oversee the day-to-day operations of the new league, shape its structure as well as the particulars of the promotion and relegation system. A USL spokesperson declined to comment."

"Scholes has a long-standing relationship with USL CEO Paul McDonough that stretches back over a decade when McDonough was an agent with Wasserman Media Group and Scholes was in the midst of a 17-year stint as chief executive of English side Stoke City. Scholes will also be heavily involved in determining which teams will comprise the USL top flight, including which existing clubs will move up and which new teams will be part of the division as well."