JT Batson: US Soccer CEO open to Emma Hayes’ joint head coach proposal

CNN — US Soccer CEO JT Batson says that he’s open to job-sharing in top coaching roles, a proposal floated by US Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes last week. We’re constantly looking to make sure that they’re compensated in the way that sets them up for success, and make sure that we can continue to achieve the big things that we’re trying to achieve as an organization.” Michele Kang speaks alongside JT Batson and Cindy Parlow Cone during a US Soccer press conference on November 19. Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC owner Arthur M. Blank pledged $50 million to US Soccer’s National Training Center in September 2023, which was followed by Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang’s donation of $30 million to the federation’s women’s and girls’ programs in November 2024. “But even more important is having someone like Michele Kang coming out and articulating why investing in the broader ecosystem is so important, and that for women’s soccer, for women’s football, to continue to grow and to achieve new heights, we need to invest in everything a part of the women’s game, in coaching and refereeing and player development broadly, so that we’re elevating the entire ecosystem, not just the 78,000 at Wembley for a huge game.” As the United States prepares to co-host the biggest ever FIFA World Cup – featuring 48 teams – alongside Mexico and Canada in 2026 on the men’s side of the game, Batson is in favor of the expansion of the women’s tournament to continue to drive the growth of the game.