Tim Donnelly

Background

About Tim Donnelly

With more than two decades in soccer and sports marketing, I bring a unique blend of athlete’s perspective, brand strategist’s insight, and entrepreneurial vision. From my early start as a Nike-sponsored athlete to co-developing global campaigns with Nike Soccer, I’ve built a career connecting world-class brands to communities in ways that feel authentic, not forced. As Co-Founder & President of Soccer at ACF, The Sport Authenticator Agency, I lead strategy, partnerships, and creative development to ensure every activation is rooted in culture. At ACF, I’ve partnered with Nike to deliver iconic World Cup campaigns including “Risk Everything” and “Toma el Juego”, helped launch LAFC as the “Heart of Los Angeles,” directed MLS All-Star Game and MLS Cup ceremonies across major venues, and collaborated with global clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Atlético Madrid, Sevilla, and FC Barcelona on fan-first activations. Our work has shaped culture from the streets to the stadiums, building trust with athletes, fans, and communities worldwide. I also co-founded Boosta, a sports-tech startup launched when COVID flipped the world upside down, raising $700K and pioneering NIL deals with Division I athletes and elite trainers in Soccer. This experience sharpened my ability to merge sport, culture, and technology into scalable platforms for the next generation. Passionate, competitive, and strategically minded, I remain focused on ensuring access to sport for all, creating opportunities where soccer inspires, unites, and drives lasting cultural and consumer impact.