Mike Ridley
Vice President, Marketing
Atlanta United FC
Michael Ridley is a marketing executive with more than 20 years of international experience promoting and developing global brands across sports and entertainment. Currently, Ridley leads all brand, marketing, creative, fan engagement and digital content efforts as VP, Marketing and Fan Engagement for Atlanta United. Since joining the 5-Stripes in January 2025, the club’s marketing department has earned national acclaim, including winning the 2025 Mark Abbott MLS Club Business Award for Digital Activation of the Year.
Prior to joining Atlanta United, Ridley was CMO of the United Soccer League (USL) where he oversaw the launch of the USL Super League and helped drive record viewership for the USL Championship. Immediately preceding his time in the USL’s C-Suite, Michael spent four years with MLS’s Inter Miami CF, where he helped launch the organization, including leading the expansion club’s marketing, communications and branding efforts as SVP, Brand and Marketing, and oversaw the arrival of Lionel Messi.
From 2014-19, Ridley held global roles at the community, an agency with offices in Miami, New York City, Buenos Aires and London. During his tenure leading growth, partnerships, marketing and PR efforts, the community was twice named one of the Top Ten ad agencies by AdAge and awarded the AdAge Multicultural Agency of the Year title three times. Ridley’s previous experiences include marketing and partnerships roles at Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox.
Ridley earned a Bachelor of Science from Boston University before he completed a master’s in Global Marketing, Communication and Advertising at Emerson College. On the pitch, Ridley was a member of the Men’s Varsity Soccer Team at BU and represented the Cayman Island’s Men’s National Team.
Outside of the office, Ridley spends time researching global environmental problems in marine biology. In particular, his work in conservation efforts to protect nesting turtles in the Cayman Islands, Turtle Beach, raised substantial funds and was awarded the Central Caribbean Marine Institute People’s Choice Award.
Ridley resides in Atlanta with his wife Molly and son Ollie Ocean.
Prior to joining Atlanta United, Ridley was CMO of the United Soccer League (USL) where he oversaw the launch of the USL Super League and helped drive record viewership for the USL Championship. Immediately preceding his time in the USL’s C-Suite, Michael spent four years with MLS’s Inter Miami CF, where he helped launch the organization, including leading the expansion club’s marketing, communications and branding efforts as SVP, Brand and Marketing, and oversaw the arrival of Lionel Messi.
From 2014-19, Ridley held global roles at the community, an agency with offices in Miami, New York City, Buenos Aires and London. During his tenure leading growth, partnerships, marketing and PR efforts, the community was twice named one of the Top Ten ad agencies by AdAge and awarded the AdAge Multicultural Agency of the Year title three times. Ridley’s previous experiences include marketing and partnerships roles at Universal Pictures and 20th Century Fox.
Ridley earned a Bachelor of Science from Boston University before he completed a master’s in Global Marketing, Communication and Advertising at Emerson College. On the pitch, Ridley was a member of the Men’s Varsity Soccer Team at BU and represented the Cayman Island’s Men’s National Team.
Outside of the office, Ridley spends time researching global environmental problems in marine biology. In particular, his work in conservation efforts to protect nesting turtles in the Cayman Islands, Turtle Beach, raised substantial funds and was awarded the Central Caribbean Marine Institute People’s Choice Award.
Ridley resides in Atlanta with his wife Molly and son Ollie Ocean.