OKC for Soccer committee to guide city's pro soccer, entertainment vision

In a major follow-up to developments surrounding the future of professional soccer and an exciting entertainment district coming to downtown Oklahoma City, an advisory committee has now been established to help shape a representative vision for the community. The OKC for Soccer Committee, announced last week, includes 33 influential civic, business, sports and cultural leaders from the region.

This initiative is a critical component of a previously announced brand review of Energy FC, Oklahoma City’s professional soccer club that paused play in recent years due to franchise stadium requirements. Echo, a multi-strategy investment firm that acquired majority ownership of the club this summer, is the driving force behind these ongoing efforts to reimagine professional soccer and deliver a world class entertainment experience.

Although on hiatus, the club has retained its franchise agreement with the United Soccer League (USL) Championship and will return to play once the new MAPS 4 multipurpose stadium is completed in lower Bricktown in spring 2027. In addition to including a women’s team as part of the club moving forward, the brand review could result in a new name, logo and color scheme.

Court Jeske, who leads the OKC for Soccer | OKC es Fútbol movement for Echo, emphasized the significant changes in both soccer and Oklahoma City since the club's earlier days, highlighting how the current environment has evolved drastically. “Those things are what makes this time right for a very, very, very successful movement,” Jeske said.

To support this vision, the OKC for Soccer Committee has been intentionally designed to reflect the city’s diversity, with leaders that represent the city’s vibrant communities and culture. Jeske pointed to the diverse makeup of the committee, stating, “There’s a mosaic of people on here. What we really endeavored to do was to make sure that we involved all those different groups and then had a focus on minorities and women to be a part of this committee.”

Founding members include key leaders from the Hispanic community such as David Castillo with the Greater OKC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Fred Mendoza with the Oklahoma Hispanic Institute and Edurne Pineda with OKC’s Consulate of Mexico. Civic leaders include Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby and Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell.

Women’s voices make up an important part of the committee with participants like Mackenzie Dilbeck from OU Athletics, Karen Hancock of Oklahoma State Athletics, Superintendent Dr. Jamie Polk of OKCPS and Suzie Symcox of First Fidelity Bank – among others. Mike Beckham of Simple Modern are Brian Byrnes of the OKC Thunder are also on the panel, alongside numerous sports and nonprofit leaders, athletic directors and business executives.

The committee will have its inaugural meeting later this fall, with plans for a handful of other meetings into next year. Jeske emphasized that the committee’s role will extend beyond soccer and focus on the broader vision of where Oklahoma City is going.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiasm and groundswell of support surrounding professional soccer in Oklahoma City, especially the prospect of adding a women’s team,” Jeske said. “As we continue to reimagine the future of soccer in our city, we are thrilled to have advisors joining us from key corners of our region. Their wide-ranging perspective and unique insights will be critical to shaping a vision that is truly representative of our community.”

Read the full list of OKC for Soccer Committee members and get the latest updates at okcforsoccer.com.