The World Cup is about to kick off in Kansas City and stadiums across North America. The tournament will feature top players from around the globe, including many who play professionally for London’s world-famous Chelsea Football Club. Helping lead that historic team is a Mizzou alumnus who holds one of the most influential positions in the sport. 

Mizzou graduate Jason Gannon (BA ’05, JD ’08) is president of Chelsea. As the club’s top business executive, he oversees the business side of the team, which has an international following and competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English soccer. Jason joined Chelsea in 2023 and was named president the following year.

Jason is originally from De Soto, Missouri, and was a student-athlete, receiving a varsity letter on the Mizzou Football team. After graduating with his law degree, he began what has become a nearly twenty-year career in professional sports, including serving as managing director of SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park in Los Angeles.

You can find Tigers like Jason leading in so many industries, including the world’s most popular game. His story shows that with a Mizzou degree, our graduates can achieve anything.

— Mun