Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast: Riverhounds SC President Jeff Garner’s here for the long game

File Photo courtesy Mark Goodman

For the newest episode of Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast, Pittsburgh Soccer Now‘s John Krysinsky caught up with Riverhounds President Jeff Garner who expands on his two and a half years at the helm, overseeing the business side of operations that have coincided with some very exciting moments and announcements, and also answers some questions about some of the most pressing topics that Pittsburgh soccer fans want to know about the organization’s short and long term endeavors.

In an extensive interview session, Garner discussed an array of topics, including the organization’s growth, his accomplishments, Highmark Stadium renovations that are in the works, Riveters SC making debut in W-League and thoughts on local rivalry with Steel City FC, increase in viewership on team broadcasts, developing Women’s Sports Advisory Committee, continued efforts to build up Montour Run training facility and much more.

Here are some quotes that stood out along with the full podcast links below.

“It’s been such a pleasure to be part of the growth of the organization as a whole…” 

Garner discusses accomplishments and highlights of his tenure since taking over in this position in mid-2022.  The Riverhounds SC attendance numbers exploded in 2023, in part due to the team’s success on the field, which included a run to the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal Round and the team winning its first-ever USL Championship Players Shield for most points overall in the regular season. Garner and his staff made numerous gameday experience enhancements, increased sponsorships, community outreach and media broadcast partnerships.

 “Patience is part of it.  We all, collectively, have faith what this will grow into.” 

The Riverhounds organization has been pursuing public funding sources along with using its own assets to make renovations to Highmark Stadium. Garner provides an update on where things stand, while taking a look at what promises to be a very busy 2025 slate for a stadium which will now have a new primary tenant with the addition of the Riveters SC.

“Once structures start going up, that will help with fan base patience, because they’ll see it starting to happen,” Garner added.

“That will help them see the bigger picture as well. We’re here for the long game.”

‘The Riveters are off to a great start…” 

Last summer, Garner stood on Highmark Stadium pitch before a Riverhounds sellout crowd to announce that the organization would be bringing a new Women’s soccer club to the USL W-League, a pre-professional league which features mostly current college players.

Within months, including a public naming contest, the Riveters SC were born and the marketing blitz began.

The club’s president boasted in this interview that Riveters ticket sales have been going strong ahead of the club’s debut on the field in 2025.  In fact, ticket sales are so strong that Garner stated that W-League club has sold more season ticket packages than what the Riverhounds season ticket sales were in 2022 when he started with the organization.

“Obviously we look forward to the competition. It’s good for Pittsburgh.” 

With Steel City FC established as a pre-professional club and also entering the W-League in the same year as the new Riveters SC, Garner shared his thoughts on having two women’s clubs in Pittsburgh in the same league and same division, as they’ll be playing each other twice in the regular season.

“We’ve increased our viewership…”

The Riverhounds have struck a solid local broadcast relationship with both KDKA and SportsNet Pittsburgh in recent years.  Garner discussed the club’s continued efforts to expand on these relationships, as they’re currently in talks with their broadcast partners for this coming year’s broadcast schedule that may include some potential expanded coverage and inclusion of Riveters SC.  Additionally, Garner shared that the Riverhounds were top overall club in broadcast viewership in 2023 and second in 2024, despite increases (Sacramento were tops in USL Championship in 2023).

“It’s really born out of trying to do the right thing and get as many expert opinions as possible.”

In December, the Riveters SC announced its has convened a Women’s Sports Advisory Committee, a select panel of experts and advocates committed to supporting the launch of Pittsburgh’s newest women’s soccer team.

Garner discusses the mission of the Committee is to enhance the Riveters organization while promoting broader growth in women’s sports throughout the Pittsburgh region. Comprised of influential leaders from sports, business, marketing and community advocacy, the committee will focus on strategic planning, program development and community outreach to ensure the Riveters’ success both on and off the field.

“That work is getting done. We’re going through those processes.  They may just take a while, unfortunately.”

For the past five-plus years, the Riverhounds organization has utilized and overseen, along with its partners from Allegheny Health Network, the Montour Run training complex’s completion, growth and expansion.

Garner discussed the continued project’s long-term goals (eventually putting in seven more fields — with plans for both synthetic and natural grass).

You can listen to the full interview with Jeff Garner here…

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