Bay FC, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) club, has appointed its Chief Financial Officer Bernard Gutmann as its new Chief Executive Officer following the departure of Stacy Johns, who will take over as head of the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA.
Gutmann had served as Bay FC’s CFO since October 2024. He brings extensive experience from leading roles in major tech and consumer companies, including LinkedIn, Pandora, Twitch, and most recently Linktree, where he served as Vice President and Head of Finance. A Wharton School economics graduate, he has been part of shaping Bay FC’s financial and operational foundations since joining the club.
Outgoing CEO Stacy Johns spent only three months in the role at Bay FC. Prior to that, she held senior leadership positions at Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer for five years and also served on the board of the European Football Clubs association, recognized by UEFA and FIFA. She will now focus on her new executive role with the Los Angeles Sparks.
Bay FC is operated under Bay Collective, a multi-club ownership platform backed by Sixth Street. Earlier this month, Bay Collective expanded its portfolio by acquiring a majority stake in Sunderland AFC Women, reinforcing its growing footprint in women’s football.
Alan Waxman, co-chair of Bay FC and CEO of Sixth Street, praised Gutmann’s promotion, highlighting his role in building a strong financial and operational base for the club and emphasizing his leadership qualities and alignment with the organization’s long-term mission.
Beyond his executive duties, Gutmann is also involved in grassroots football in the Bay Area and holds a U.S. Soccer National C coaching license, working with youth teams aged U8 to U13.