Rapids name former Derby exec Hinchey as president

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Dec 13, 2011

[MLS SPOTLIGHT] Tim Hinchey, the American sports executive who spent more than two years as an executive at English club Derby County after the Rams were bought by the American-based General Sports and Entertainment (GSE) group, has been named the Colorado Rapids' new president, replacing Jeff Plush as the MLS club's top executive.

The move comes a little more than a year after Hinchey left England to become the Rapids’ chief marketing officer.
 
“It’s truly an honor to take this role with the Rapids,” said Hinchey. “I want to thank Stan Kroenke, Josh Kroenke and Jim Martin for this opportunity and for their confidence. The Rapids have a great foundation, and I’m looking forward to helping the team build on its recent successes on and off the field. We are only a year removed from an MLS Cup and everyone in the organization is committed to bringing another championship to Colorado.”
 
Prior to joining the Rapids, Hinchey served for three years as vice president, commercial for Derby County, which played in the Premier League and League Championship during his time with the team. As a club director and member of the board, Hinchey attended all matches and oversaw strategy for all commercial activities for the club, including sponsorship, ticket sales, marketing, public relations and broadcasting.

Derby played in the EPL in 2008-09 when GSE bought the club, but it has struggled in the second-level League Championship since then.
 
Hinchey also brings extensive experience from the NBA, having held executive positions with the Charlotte Bobcats and New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, and working for Maloof Sports & Entertainment, whose properties included Arco Arena, Sacramento Kings (NBA), Sacramento Monarchs (WNBA) and Sacramento Knights (MISL/CISL), among others.