Atlanta United CEO Garth Lagerwey Takes Leave After Cancer Diagnosis

Atlanta United said on 10 July that President and Chief Executive Officer Garth Lagerwey has been diagnosed with cancer and will take an indefinite leave of absence while he undergoes treatment. The Major League Soccer club described his prognosis as encouraging and confirmed that the 50-year-old executive has already begun therapy. During Lagerwey’s absence, day-to-day operations will be overseen by Chief Soccer Officer Chris Henderson, Chief Business Officer Skate Noftsinger and Senior Vice President of Strategy Dimitrios Efstathiou. The trio will provide regular updates to Lagerwey and Rich McKay, chief executive of parent company AMB Sports & Entertainment. Owner Arthur M. Blank said the organisation “stands fully behind” Lagerwey and his family, praising the executive’s resilience. Lagerwey, who joined Atlanta United in 2022, thanked Blank for his support and said he looks forward to returning to Mercedes-Benz Stadium after completing treatment.