Helping Bring Professional Soccer to America with Brett M. Johnson - CEO of Benevolent Capital

Brett M. Johnson graduated from Brown University, where he was a member of the rowing team and received his Bachelor of Arts in History. He received his MBA from Pepperdine University and graduated from the Harvard Business School Executive Program. He is a member of the Young President's Organization (YPO) and is the CEO and Founder of Benevolent Capital and Founder of Fortuitous Partners.

Brett is the Chairman of Rhode Island FC, Director and Shareholder of Ipswich Town FC in England and Phoniex Rising FC in Phoneix, Arizona.

Show Notes:

• How Brett fell in love with soccer (Football) and the insight that led him to get involved in professional soccer (football) in the United States and England.
  • Phoenix Rising FC, Rhode Island FC, Ipswich Town FC 
• (8:00) What were the problems and challenges that Brett found with traditional private equity firms?
• (11:00) Brett discovered the incentives were misaligned. When he and Grant founded Benevolent Capital they decided to focus on creating the right incentive structure, which is very different from traditional private equity firms.
• (13:00) - What did Brett learn as a "Wartime CEO"...a leader navigating challenging times.
  • "The challenges I faced made me a good CEO and leader...I love being an entrepreneur!" 
  • "As an entrepreneur, the universe will test you!"
• (24:00) - What was Brett's thesis for Professional Soccer in the United States?
  • What are the similarities and differences between traditional business and professional sports?
• (29:00) - What is the impact of Ted Lasso on the game of soccer in the United States?
• (33:00) - What other business insights is Brett having after being in professional sports?
• (40:00) - The World Cup truly is an event that brings the world together unlike anything else.
• (45:00) - Brett advises young people.
• (49:00) - Brett's top three skills everyone needs to be successful in life.
• "I know I am doing exactly what I should be doing and that is a great feeling!" Brett had to "take the leap" to get there and he went all in!
  • You get rewarded when you go "all in" and people and the world see that you mean business.
• Learning how to "manage up" in your career is as important as how you "manage down" in your career.
• Book Recommendations
  • Never Split the Difference - Chris Voss
  • Shoe Dog - Phil Knight
  • American Lion - Jon Meacham
  • The Last Hill - Bob Drury and Tom Clavin
  • Against All Odds - Alex Kershaw
• (1:00:00) Why is outside motivation so important for an entrepreneur and their journey?
• (1:03:00)If Brett could give a State of the Union Address to the American people what would he say?
• Connect with Brett M. Johnson on Linkedin.