Greeley does have two decades of experience in the "sports industry," having held marketing and operational posts with agencies and professional sports franchises, including executive positions with the National Football League and National Basketball Association, according to the Fire's statement upon his hiring.

Greeley will oversee the business operations and will lead strategic planning and overall management of the franchise and stadium.

"Dave has a wealth of sports industry knowledge and experience. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to bring such a talented executive to the Chicago Fire," said Andell Sports Group Managing Director Javier Leon, who oversees the franchise for Fire owner Andrew Hauptman.

Greeley joins the Fire after serving as principal at DCG Partners LLC, a sports consulting practice he founded.

He previously ran Kemper Sports Marketing and Communications as executive vice president/general manager.

Greeley spent six seasons with the NFL's Chicago Bears, where he was chief marketing officer and senior director of sales & marketing.

Greeley also worked at Vulcan Sports and Entertainment for more than three years as vice president sales at Action Sports Media, a leading college rights and representation business, and began his stint there with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers as Director of Corporate Development.

Early in his career, he worked with Palace Sports and Entertainment, owner and operator of the NBA's Detroit Pistons, the Palace of Auburn Hills, and two Continental Indoor Soccer League teams, the Detroit Safari and Detroit Neon. Greeley began his sports career at Compuware Sports Corporation, the then operator of the Detroit Jr. Red Wings.

"The good news is I'm not going to make soccer decisions," Greeley told the Tribune. "[ technical director] Frank [Klopas], [head coach] Denis [Hamlett] and Javier [Leon] are the soccer experts. They will make the soccer decisions."

Leon served as interim president president since John Guppy's departure in April.