Kim Shelton steps away from role as Lexington Sporting Club CEO
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- Kim Shelton is leaving her post as the CEO of Lexington Sporting Club.
- Shelton had been the CEO of Lexington Sporting Club since January 2024.
As Lexington Sporting Club continues to expand its professional soccer footprint, a new CEO will soon be leading the way.
On Thursday morning, it was announced by the club that Kim Shelton would be leaving her post as CEO of Lexington Sporting Club. Shelton had been the CEO of LSC since late January 2024.
According to an LSC news release, Shelton is stepping down from her role as the franchise’s CEO “to pursue a new opportunity.”
“Leading this club has been an incredible honor. I am grateful to ownership for the opportunity, for the LSC staff, coaches and players who work tirelessly to impact the success of LSC and to the fans who make gameday an amazing experience,” Shelton said in the release. “Thank you for your trust, your commitment and for making this club something truly special.”
The announcement of Shelton’s departure was not publicized on LSC’s social media channels.
Shelton was a sensible hire for the Central Kentucky soccer franchise, which fields professional men’s and women’s teams as well as a variety of youth squads. A member of the first women’s soccer team at Kentucky and still the program’s all-time leader in games played and started, Shelton’s previous professional experience included working for the Chicago venue of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the YMCA of Central Kentucky and JMI Sports, a sales, marketing and project management services company that broadcasts UK sports.
Before arriving at LSC, Shelton spent nearly a decade at JMI Sports in roles such as vice president of sponsorship sales, chief revenue officer, president of UK Sports and Campus Marketing and senior vice president of College Properties.
Under Shelton’s watch, a number of significant developments occurred for LSC.
Lexington’s professional men’s team made the jump from USL League One to the USL Championship, which is the second-highest tier of men’s professional soccer in the United States. This move put LSC on par with in-state rival Louisville City, which also plays in the USL Championship.
LSC also debuted its professional women’s team in the Gainbridge Super League, which is also under the USL’s oversight. The Super League is a top-tier pro women’s league that’s been sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation as a Division I league. Lexington’s second season in the Super League begins Aug. 23.
In September, Lexington Sporting Club opened its own soccer-specific venue. The 7,500-seat capacity Lexington SC Stadium is located along Athens Boonesboro Road near Interstate 75 in Lexington.
Less than a week before Shelton’s departure from LSC was announced, Lexington Sporting Club set an attendance record when 8,252 fans packed into the venue for a men’s soccer rivalry match between Lexington and Louisville City. LouCity dramatically won that match 2-1.
At the time of Shelton’s hiring by LSC in January 2024, majority owner Bill Shively described Shelton as “the ideal choice” to be the club’s CEO in a news release.
“She’s a trailblazer in the industry, a tested business executive, and an exceptional people developer — qualities essential to our vision,” Shively said in that release. “Equally noteworthy, Kim has been a dedicated member of the Lexington community for over three decades, showcasing a shared passion for advancing both our community and the beloved sport.”
This story was originally published August 1, 2025 at 3:42 PM.
