Aaron Davidson
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Aaron Davidson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970 or 1971 (age 52–53)[1] |
| Alma mater | Emory University (1993)[2] Southern Methodist University (1996)[3] |
| Spouse | Michelle Dryjansky |
Aaron Davidson (born 1971) is an American lawyer and businessman.
Davidson is the director of business development of Plant the Future, Conviction2, Inc. and OG4ever and former chairman of the board of governors of the North American Soccer League,[4] and former president of Traffic Sports USA. The Brazilian José Hawilla, owner and founder of Traffic Group, named Davidson VP of sales and marketing of his company's North American headquarters in 2003. Davidson then became President of Traffic Sports USA in 2012. Davidson spearheaded sponsorship sales for Copa America from 2004 - 2015 and for CONCACAF from 2012 - 2015 highlighted by increasing Copa America sponsorship from about $5 million to over $50 million and selling the first overarching CONCACAF partnership to Scotiabank.[5]
Davidson was one of 14 suspects indicted[6][7] and detained in the 2015 FIFA corruption case.[8] He was banned by the FIFA Ethics Committee.[9] In May 2015, Davidson pleaded not guilty in Brooklyn Federal Court and was released on $5 million bond.[10] Subsequently, in October 2016, Davidson pleaded guilty and forfeited $507,900[11] with sentencing set for October 3, 2019.[12] In September 2018, FIFA's ethics committee imposed life ban on Davidson for bribery and corruption and a $1.03 million fine.[13]
On September 1, 2023, Judge Pamela Chen of the Eastern District of New York acquitted Full Play and Lopez and stayed all upcoming sentencings including Davidson's sentencing in this case until appellate review, if any, is concluded.[14][15]
Early life
[edit]Both of his parents are first generation immigrants, and their parents are of eastern European Jewish ancestry. He describes himself as a "Tex-Mex-Costa Rican Jew".[16]
Davidson was educated at Emory University and the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University.[17]
Career
[edit]Davidson is a licensed attorney in Texas and New York. His career has been entirely in the legal and commercial aspects of sports management.[18] Davidson worked at the Muller Group, a marketing firm for sports in New York.[1]
Personal life
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Ruiz, Rebecca R. (October 21, 2016). "American Pleads Guilty in FIFA Case for His Role in Bribes Worth Millions". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- ^ Rangus, Eric, "Kicking Grass: How Atlanta’s rebooted pro team is bringing soccer back", Emory Magazine, Summer 2011. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
- ^ "Southern Methodist University Eighty-First Annual Commencement Convocation" May 18, 1996, p. 18. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
- ^ "Kick Starter: Aaron Davidson re-establishes pro soccer in Florida". Florida Trend. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
- ^ "Scotiabank Joins CONCACAF as Official Partner". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Blake, J. Mike, and Andrew Kenney, "RailHawks owner Aaron Davidson indicted in FIFA soccer corruption case", The News & Observer, May 27, 2015. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
- ^ Buchanan, Larry, Tom Giratikanon and Karen Youris, "How the Indicted Officials Fit Into FIFA", New York Times, May 26, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2015.
- ^ Halliday, Josh (May 27, 2015). "Fifa corruption crisis: the key figures in the controversy". The Guardian. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
- ^ "Independent Ethics Committee bans Aaron Davidson from football-related activities". FIFA. May 28, 2015. Archived from the original on May 28, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ O'Keeffe, Michael (May 29, 2015). "FIFA scandal defendant enters not guilty plea in Brooklyn". Daily News. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ Raymond, Nate (October 21, 2016). "Ex-marketing executive pleads guilty in U.S. bribery probe of FIFA". Reuters. Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
- ^ "FIFA Prosecution, United States v. Napout, et al. and Related Cases". United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
- ^ "FIFA life bans for 3 who pleaded guilty in US case". AP News. September 19, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. judge throws out two bribery convictions". ESPN.com. September 2, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ http://www.debevoise.com/-/media/files/pdf/show_temp.pdf?rev=2229e4b5e5f04f13b447baf282ab764f&hash=127E06D5A4741C5CD1CE6D05418E3266 [bare URL]
- ^ Kaufman, Michelle (May 29, 2015). "Miami soccer broker's fall shocks those around him". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
- ^ "Aaron Davidson - Lawyer Profile". martindale. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
- ^ "Speakers 2015". Sissummit. Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
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