Today is National Girls and Women in Sports Day, an annual celebration of all women athletes, their achievements, and the positive inclusion of women in aspects of sports. One of those women making an impact: Republic FC’s Executive Vice President of Business Operations, Ashley Horsley. In her role, Horsley oversees multiple departments to develop business strategy and drive profitability, as well as support the club’s culture and values.
Horsley joined Republic FC following several years at 360 Blue, a vacation rental management company focusing on luxury properties. She first joined the company in 2012 and moved her way up as the company grew, serving as the Chief Financial Officer before taking an ownership stake and being named Chief Executive Officer in 2014. As CEO, Horsley led the company to reach record revenue and growth, including the acquisition of three similar companies.
To keep up with the company’s rapidly expanding property portfolio, Horsley helped 360 Blue break into the tech industry with Glad to Have You—a customer-facing mobile app to improve the renter’s experience—and Key Data Dashboard, a tool to provide data benchmarking and market analytics for property managers and homeowners. Horsley was named Key Data’s Chief Commercial Officer in 2021 and continues to serve on its Board of Directors.
For Horsley, working in professional sports wasn’t a part of the plan—until she discovered an unknown passion for the game of soccer while living in Nashville: “I didn’t know I loved soccer until I went to my first Nashville SC [in 2021],” she said. “We bought season tickets immediately – I was hooked on everything and I tried to learn everything I could about the business of professional sports.” From that point on, she knew what her next career step needed to be: “I loved what I was doing before, but I wanted to wake up every single day and be really excited about what I was doing, and I was confident that would be possible in sports.”
Since joining Republic FC in August 2022 – right before the club’s appearance in the U.S. Open Cup Final – Horsley has hit the ground running with zero hesitation, helping the club close out the season with record revenues in ticket sales, partnerships, and merchandise. As Republic FC begins its 10th season, Horsley is eager to build on the club’s rich history to lead the club into the next era: “I think this club is just getting started. I hope that in my role I can help Republic FC continue to make an impact on and off the field, and continue the trajectory that has already been established by so many fans, employees, and partners that have come before me.”
As one of two women Executive Vice Presidents across all of USL Championship, Horsley is deeply committed to serving as a mentor for other women in the organization, while also striving to make professional sports more inclusive and diverse for all: “Being a woman in sports often comes with challenges that aren’t faced by many people who aren’t women,” she explained. “It is important for women to know that there is a place for them to make an impact on their community, whether it’s on the field or in the boardroom.”
