Julie Uhrman

President and Co-Founder of Angel City Football Club (ACFC)

It is with total joy that I present my interview with Julie Uhrman, the President and Co-Founder of Angel City Football Club (ACFC), Los Angeles’ professional women’s soccer team that debuted in 2022 in the National Women’s Soccer League. ACFC is one of the world’s only majority female-founded and run professional sports teams. Uhrman founded ACFC with Academy Award-winning actress and activist Natalie Portman, technology venture capitalist Kara Nortman.

She was most recently named a member of the 2023 Sports Business Journal (SBJ) Game Changer class. She was listed as one of the Ten Influencers of 2023 by SportsPro Media, one of the Most Influential People in Sports Business 2022 by the SBJ, a member of Adweek’s 2021 and 2020 Most Powerful Women In Sports, one of the 100 Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company, and was named to the Creative 50 list by Ad Age. In May of 2023, Angel City Football Club was named Sports Team of the Year by SBJ and was the first women’s team ever to win the category.

Julie is active in the Los Angeles sports and technology communities. She is a board member of the LA Sports and Entertainment Council, The Rose Bowl Institute, and the LA Sports Council, and an active executive in the LA Chapter of WISE (Women in Sports and Events), where she was recognized as a 2022 Women of Inspiration Honoree. She is also part of the DraftKings’ All-Star Network as an Advisor to Drive by DraftKings.

As a side note, Julie , who is so busy, was so gracious and quick to get back to me quickly on this interview and for that I am very grateful. 

What did you study in college, and how did your educational background shape your career in business?

JU: I received a BSBA from Washington University. I knew I wanted to go into business and a business undergraduate gave me exposure to all aspects of a business – finance, marketing, management – even entrepreneurism. I think college is a place where you find what you’re interest in and learn a lot because when you “work” you become more of a specialist. The product may change, ie video games, movies, sports, fashion, but the principals to market, sell, build a fan/customer base, tell your story, don’t.

Can you share the key milestones in your career that led you to founding and running Angel City FC?

JU: My career was not typical. I started as an investment banker, what I wanted to do. I wanted to help companies – raise money, go public. I liked the idea of helping others. Them most of my career moved between being very early at start-ups running business development, developing partnerships, raising money with a small team thus having a seat at the decision table to see how a business is run to established companies like FOX where I could learn in a slower growth way and have more support, resources and money.  I believe working in startups, plus a business background, gave me the confidence to start my own company, OUYA. Angel City was more about right place right time. Networking and building your sphere of influence is important. It is these people that will help you get jobs or help you in your job. For Angel City, my co-founder is someone I knew for over 20 years and never worked with but she asked me to join her because she felt I lead this team.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a woman serving as a president of a sports team, a job traditionally held by men?

JU: The biggest challenges are the ones you don’t see. The bias men have or the limitations they put on women. Feeling like you have to “bring them along” vs. being direct. It’s a balance that men don’t face, and such a waste of time.  My biggest challenge though was that all 3 co-founders were not only women but had sports experience. I really had to learn the industry and being incredibly confident about why a women’s football team would work in LA. What’s key is finding those who are likely to believe, and Angel City is successful because of our incredible majority women’s ownership group.

Balancing a busy career can be demanding. How do you manage work-life balance, and what strategies have worked well for you?

JU: I don’t. Balance is hard and it’s not achievable. Better to learn that now. What I focus on is being present with family or work. Realizing not everything is urgent. and finding time for myself is critical to not burn out.

Have you had mentors or role models who played a significant role in your career? How important is mentorship for women in business?

JU: Unfortunately, not but as I’ve gotten older I have peers who I lean on. Women and men who have run companies and teams who have experienced what I have and are willing so provide an ear or a shoulder. 

In a male-dominated industry, do you feel women are given equal opportunities? What steps do you think can be taken to promote gender equality in sports management?

JU: feel it is getting better. I’m seeing more women in sports. 50% of the audience are women so we’re pretty important. We need more women at the most senior level and that will happen but will just take time. It’s important that we support each other and share our victories.

At Angel FC and the NWSL, How do you stay updated on industry trends, and what advice do you have for staying relevant in a rapidly evolving business landscape?

JU: I read a lot, network with executives from other teams/sports, and attend/speak at conferences. Sports Business Journal, Sportico, Huddle Up, Leaders, Women’s Sports Foundation, etc. I stay present so people come to me and I learn from the best around the world. I get out of the US because football is a global sport.

What advice do you have for young women like myself  aspiring to build a successful career in the sports side of business?

JU: Just get a job. Get your foot in and learn. Join WISE (women in sports and events) because it’s great for networking. Fans are chancing and you are valuable to a team in marketing, social, pr, etc. There are surprising a lot of jobs and the landscape is expanding. Many offer internships which is a great way in too.

What aspects of your work in the women’s Soccer industry do you find most fulfilling, and how do you hope to contribute to the industry’s growth and positive impact?

JU: Angel City is unique in that we lead with purpose to drive profit. Everything we do gives make to the community and drives our team and sport forward. We want to use sports to bend the curve toward equity and we do that with Angel City. Most fulfilling is the impact we’re making on Los Angeles, in our community, for young girls and boys and the impact we make on our players, treating them like real professions from practice to game day. We’re building value and driving it with sponsorships and partnership showing women’s sports is investible.

Where do you see Women’s Soccer 5, 10 and 20 years from now here in the United States? 

JU: I think in 10 years the NWSL will be more popular than the MLS and NHL. We are experiencing tremendous growth and viewership. We just need to keep investing in storytelling, in our players, in our product, and in broadcast and we’ll be a top 4 sport in this country.

Any fun facts about you that you’d like to share (ie favorite foods, hobbies, interesting facts, etc) ?

JU: Dark Chocolate, Pizza, USC football and whatever my kids (15 year old girl and 12 you old boy are doing)

Selfish question, what would be the best route for someone like myself to get an internship with a Mens or Womens soccer team during a summer off school 🙂 ?

JU: Just apply, if know someone that helps too. Everyone needs help. If they don’t have internships email their HR anyway 😉