The Continental Football League adds nearly three decades of professional sports leadership while unveiling expansion plans, a national player pipeline, and a new era for summer football.

Indianapolis, IN — July 24, 2026 — The Continental Football League is entering its next phase of growth.

After three days of meetings in Indianapolis focused on the league’s new headquarters, partnerships, and long-term infrastructure, Founder & CEO Manny Matsakis says the vision for 2027 is becoming clearer than ever.

The league announced a major front-office addition, revealed continued expansion efforts, and shared the first details of a national player-development pathway featuring showcases, a combine, and the first modern CoFL Draft.

Michael Schetzel Named CoFL Chief of Staff

The Continental Football League is proud to announce that Michael Schetzel has been named the league’s first Chief of Staff, effective immediately.

Schetzel brings nearly 30 years of professional sports executive experience across Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, USL, WNBA, NHL, Olympic sports, and other professional leagues.

His career includes leadership positions focused on revenue generation, sponsorship development, ticketing strategy, partnerships, and organizational growth.

Among his previous roles:

• Chief Business Officer, FC Tulsa (USL) — overseeing revenue operations and growing overall revenue by more than 200%.

• Vice President of Ticketing & Corporate Partnerships, Nashville Soccer Club (USL/MLS) — leading sponsorship efforts that exceeded $2 million annually, including a $1 million jersey-front partnership with Nissan.

• Vice President of Ticket Sales Strategy, Indy Eleven (USL) — helping increase ticket revenue and leading league-wide group sales performance.

• Director of Sales & Ticket Services, Boston Red Sox (MLB) — managing operations connected to one of baseball’s most successful organizations during the 2004 World Series championship era.

Schetzel has also held executive roles with organizations including the Arizona Coyotes, Dallas Wings, Real Salt Lake, Utah Blaze, NHRA, Madison Square Garden, and the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

He holds a Master of Arts in Sports Management from Georgia Southern University and a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. He is also fluent in Spanish.

Based in Westfield, Indiana, Schetzel will play a key role as the CoFL headquarters develops in Indianapolis.

Building the Business Behind the Shield

As Chief of Staff, Schetzel will lead several critical areas of league growth:

• Sponsorship revenue development

• League media kit creation

• Sales infrastructure

• Ownership-group standards

• Front-office expansion

• National partnership strategy

His mission is to help create the infrastructure necessary to support the CoFL’s immediate goal of eight clubs in 2027 and the long-term vision of 24 clubs across four divisions within five years.

“Adding an executive of Michael’s caliber sends a message,” said Manny Matsakis, Founder & CEO of the Continental Football League. “We are building a real professional league, and we are building it with people who have done this at the highest levels.”

Expansion Mode: The CoFL Continues Growing

The Continental Football League is officially entering its 2027 expansion phase.

The league is currently engaged in multiple ownership discussions and is taking a deliberate approach to selecting new markets.

Upcoming expansion updates include:

• One new team announcement coming next week

• Two additional ownership groups currently under evaluation

• Continued conversations with communities interested in bringing professional summer football to their market

The CoFL’s expansion standard remains clear:

Every ownership group must be:

✓ Properly capitalized
✓ Locally connected
✓ Aligned with league standards
✓ Ready to compete immediately

The goal is not simply to add teams — it is to build sustainable franchises that strengthen the entire league.

Interested ownership groups can begin the process at:

coflfootball.com/ownership

Creating a Year-Round Football Pipeline

The CoFL is also developing the infrastructure needed to become more than a summer football league.

The league is building a national player-development pathway designed to identify talent, evaluate prospects, and connect players with professional opportunities.

The system will include three major events:

Continental Showcase Series

The Continental Showcase Series will serve as the entry point for players looking to earn a place in the CoFL.

The league is currently researching locations and dates across the country, with a likely opening event at Grand Park in Indianapolis.

These showcases will provide evaluated workouts for players seeking a legitimate pathway to a CoFL roster.

CoFL Combine — Spring 2027

Following the Showcase Series, the league plans to host the first CoFL Combine.

The invitation-only event will bring together top prospects from across the country and provide clubs and scouting networks an opportunity to evaluate the next generation of CoFL players.

CoFL Draft — Spring 2027

The CoFL Draft is planned to follow the Combine and will represent the first modern draft process in league history.

The draft will allow teams to acquire talent through a structured player distribution system ahead of the 2027 season.

Additional details regarding format, broadcast plans, and scheduling will be announced soon.

Indianapolis Becomes the Home of the CoFL

After spending three days in Indianapolis, Matsakis believes the city represents the perfect foundation for the league’s future.

Indianapolis provides:

• A strong football culture

• A sports-driven community

• A central national location

• A skilled workforce

• Partnership opportunities across multiple industries

With Grand Park serving as a potential anchor for national programming and the new league office coming online, the CoFL headquarters is beginning to take shape as a true professional sports operation.

The Road to 2027 Begins Now

The Continental Football League is carefully selecting the teams, people, and partners who will define its future.

One new team will be announced next week.

Two additional ownership groups remain in active evaluation.

The foundation is being built — and 2027 is approaching quickly.

Build the League. Own a Club. Join the Future of Football.

— Manny Matsakis
Founder & CEO
Continental Football League