Official release from North American Soccer League

The resurgent North American Soccer League (NASL) will kick off its third season in the spring of 2013 with a new Commissioner at the helm.

Veteran sports executive Bill Peterson will lead the expanding nine-team NASL into a new era of soccer, while establishing the league on the sporting landscape.

Peterson, who will assume his role immediately, is no stranger to North American soccer having worked closely with MLS teams when he was the Senior Vice President of AEG Sports and Managing Director of the Home Depot Center from 2000 to 2006. Peterson helped oversee the management of numerous MLS teams and the development of soccer-specific stadiums across the country.

"We conducted a global search and an intense interview process to ensure we selected the right Commissioner for the NASL as we enter this next important growth phase for our league," commented Chairman of the NASL Board of Governors Aaron Davidson.

"Bill's diverse breadth of management experience in the US and abroad at governing bodies, leagues, teams, stadia and one of the leading hospitality companies gives him the ability to lead by example and align everyone's interests in order to achieve our individual and collective goals. With Commissioner Peterson, we look forward to accelerating the positive financial results of our existing teams and continuing to usher in new teams in strategic markets with owners who embrace our vision and have the wherewithal to succeed at the highest possible level."

Peterson said: "There is an opportunity here to cement the NASL as a league that can thrive and expand while providing compelling soccer for the game's fans.

"The roots of the NASL triggered a soccer explosion in North American in the 1970s and I am delighted to be leading this new chapter as we take the league and its teams forward into an exciting future."