professional life
Ryan Knapp is a successful sports business professional and serial sports entrepreneur as well as a passionate advocate for the growth of soccer in the United States, especially in his hometown of Buffalo, NY. He also is a strong advocate in the power of using soccer for social change.
Ryan’s recent focus has been on the interaction of sports and social media, spurred on by his current positions as Co-Owner of FC Buffalo, a National Premier Soccer League club and General Manager of Keith Burtis Consulting, a social media consulting firm located in Buffalo,NY.
Previously Ryan founded the popular soccer blog Center Holds It, and organized the move of CHI to BigSoccer, the biggest soccer website in the United States. He also was President/GM of Queen City Football Club and negotiated the sale of the NPSL club for $250,000
Along with the above mentioned positions at FC Buffalo and Keith Burtis Consulting, Ryan is also founder of Futbolist, LLC and Director of Public Relations for the National Premier Soccer League
Ryan has been in love with soccer since the days of Fifa 94 for Sega Genesis and Roberto Baggio skying penalty kicks in World Cup Finals. He experienced life in a true soccer culture during his time studying in Sevilla, Spain, where he lived 1.5 minutes from the Ramón Sanchez Pizjuan, Sevilla FC’s home stadium. It was upon moving back to the United States in 2007 that he embarked on making his name in the soccer industry.
More About Me:
Education: BA Spanish, BA Linguistics (w/ honors) | University at Buffalo. MA Sociolinguistics | University at Buffalo
Family: Married October 10th, 2009 | Wife: Renae (5th year PhD and Adjunct @ University at Buffalo/Erie County Community College) Dog: Ella | Colorheaded White Shetland Sheepdog, Princess, Agility Queen
Passions: Family, Community, Sports, Revitalization of Buffalo, Meditation, Living a Meaningful Life
Languages: Fluent in English and Spanish. Catalan | Basic knowledge reading and comprehension. Currently studying French, Polish and Japanese.
Travel: Lived abroad in Sevilla, Spain Fall 2004 and Villacañas (Toledo) Spain | September 2006 – May 2007. Travelled throughout Italy and visited Lisbon, Sintra and Lagos in Portugal.
Sports Allegiances:
- Soccer Hands Down: Sevilla FC | Spanish La Liga
- Major League Soccer: Toronto FC
- English Premier League: Liverpool FC
- Spanish ACB (Basketball): Estudiantes
- NFL: Buffalo Bills
- NHL: Buffalo Sabres
