Dave Sonntag to Join USL Spokane as Vice President of Marketing and Communications
Spokane, Wash. – Dave Sonntag will join USL Spokane as Vice President of Marketing and Communications in September. Sonntag is a purpose-driven leader with more than 27 years of management, brand, marketing, and communications experience in higher education, sports, technology, health care, and more.
In this role, Sonntag will build and oversee the USL Spokane brand, inclusive of its two professional and one pre-professional USL soccer teams, in alignment with USL Spokane’s values for professional sports excellence; diversity, equity, access, and inclusion; health and wellbeing; and an uncompromising fan experience that bolsters the Spokane economy. This includes marketing in support of merchandise and ticket sales as well as fostering strong ongoing relationships with corporate sponsors, community members, business partners, and USL stakeholders.
“I am beyond excited to join the USL Spokane leadership team,” said Sonntag. This is an opportunity to be a part of building something completely new for Spokane that is certain to energize the entire community, significantly boost our economy, inspire our youth to be active and healthy, and create a pipeline for young women to become professional athletes.”
“Dave brings the highest level of brand and marketing experience to USL Spokane,” said Ryan Harnetiaux, Managing Partner of Aequus Sports, LLC and co-owner of USL Spokane. “We are thrilled that he will bring this deep experience to help build a dynamic fan experience, deliver tremendous brand value to our partners, and represent the values of USL Spokane in everything that we do.”
Sonntag has spent the past 15 years leading marketing and communications at Gonzaga University, a nationally recognized private, Jesuit university in Spokane, Wash. As Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications, this role included oversight of the university’s brand, marketing, website, digital media, publications, and public relations. Over his tenure, he launched a rebrand of the university in 2015, oversaw communications for the university’s largest-ever capital campaign, led marketing initiatives in support of student enrollment, and leveraged Gonzaga’s athletic success – including both men’s basketball Final Four runs – to elevate the university’s brand profile in support of strategic goals.
Prior to Gonzaga, Sonntag led marketing and communications at Eastern Washington University and was an account manager for two regional marketing and public relations firms. Sonntag is active in the Spokane Community, serving on the board of the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy and working to diversify Spokane’s workforce while empowering people with developmental disabilities through Hire Ability Spokane.
“I love that the men’s crest and team name, Spokane Velocity FC, is rooted in Spokane’s DNA – the power of the Spokane River, the community’s always-forward momentum, and its classic architecture. I cannot wait to be part of revealing the women’s Super League team name and crest this fall,” said Sonntag. “Stay tuned – it’s going to be special!”
