Worth about $50 billion, the hedge-fund CEO Ken Griffin is once again funding the salary of USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino.
The 57-year-old Griffin — called the “most successful Wall Street entrepreneur of his generation” by The New Yorker — is also one of the USA’s largest individual political donors and one of the nation’s leading philanthropists.
“The USMNT delivered one of its strongest World Cup performances in more than two decades — a testament to the talent of our players and Mauricio’s leadership,” Griffin said in a statement. “I’m thrilled he is returning in an expanded leadership role and am proud to support U.S. Soccer’s efforts to advance the sport and inspire the next generation of players and fans.”
In 2024, Griffin made a leadership philanthropic gift that enabled U.S. Soccer to hire Pochettino at an annual salary of more than $6 million. His new gift extends his support through the 2030 World Cup.
Under Pochettino, the USA fell short of reaching the quarterfinals of the USA-hosted 2026 World Cup with a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16. In its rehiring announcement, U.S. Soccer stated:
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