Republic FC loses top executive behind new stadium and roster to MLS club
Sacramento Republic FC is losing one of its most important figures atop the organization.
Todd Dunivant, who joined the club in 2018 and was promoted to president and general manager in 2021, is leaving to become the sporting director for New York City F.C. of the MLS and under the City Football Group umbrella, which also owns one of the most famous teams in the world, Manchester City of the English Premier League.
Republic FC staffers were notified Monday. The Athletic was first to report the news which was confirmed by sources to The Sacramento Bee.
Dunivant has been key in growing Republic FC into one of the USL’s most prominent clubs with seven postseason appearances in his eight years and a league leader in attendance after taking over business operations in his expanded role in 2021. His departure comes after construction began on Republic FC’s new 12,000-seat soccer stadium in the Downtown Railyards over the summer. It is set to open in 2027.
The $175 million stadium, part of a $321 million entertainment district, is the centerpiece for the club’s plan to elevate itself either as a candidate for MLS expansion or into the new USL Division One, which plans to compete with the MLS directly when it’s formed later this decade. The USL Championship in its current form is considered a tier below MLS. The club recently submitted plans to expand the stadium from 12,000 seats to more than 20,000 to fit MLS or USL League One standards.
Dunivant was a primary force getting the stadium project developed by working with city officials and Wilton Rancheria, which took over as the primary ownership group in 2024 while Kevin Nagle remained an owner and managing partner. Dunivant’s work on the stadium came while overseeing the club’s roster, scouting, development and technical sides.
“I’m forever grateful to Kevin Nagle, Wilton Rancheria led by Chairman Jesus Tarango and Chris Franklin, and the incredible supporters of Republic FC for their confidence and trust to help create a special club for an Indomitable city,” Dunivant said in a statement provided to The Bee.
“These eight seasons in Sacramento have been truly fulfilling, with relationships that will last a lifetime. I am so proud of what we’ve built together. The future of the club has never been brighter and I’m extremely confident in the club’s ownership, the hard-working front office staff, and the talented players, coaches and technical staff who will deliver all of the rewards that this community and club deserve – a continued pursuit of silverware, an incredible stadium experience, and a limitless future that will continue to be the talk of American soccer.”
Dunivant with NYCFC will be replacing David Lee, who announced Sept. 30 he would be leaving to become the chief soccer officer at MLS club Sporting Kansas City. Dunivant will be inheriting a team that went to the Conference Finals of the of MLS Cup Playoffs as the No. 5 seed while nine teams make the postseason tournament. NYCFC fell to Miami, 5-1, in its bid to reach the Final on Saturday.
City Football Group partnered with the New York Yankees in 2013 to launch NYCFC as MLS’s 20th team in 2015. It won the MLS Cup in 2021. The club is building a new 25,000-seat stadium in Queens that it plans to open in 2027 while currently playing home games in Yankee Stadium. The Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment purchased Manchester City and formed City Football Group in 2008.
What’s next for Republic FC?
Dunivant’s departure comes after Republic FC was eliminated from the playoffs in the opening round of the USL Championship playoffs Nov. 2 in penalty kicks after a scoreless tie with Orange County SC. It was considered a disappointing result for Republic FC, which had championship aspirations after earning the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
The club hasn’t won a trophy since winning a USL Championship in its inaugural season in 2014. It came close by reaching the finals of the U.S. Open Cup in 2022 and the Jagermeister Cup in October.
Republic FC’s board of directors has begun a search for Dunivant’s replacement. Current manager Neil Collins will be in charge of the roster in the meantime. Dunivant will remain with the club through the end of the month to help the transition.
Significant changes to the roster are expected heading into 2026, highlighted by the retirement of stalwart midfielder Rodrigo Lopez, who exited the playoff game early after receiving a controversial red card. The contracts for top scorer Russell Cicerone and midfielder Luis Felipe expired, and the team did not exercise the option to extend striker Sebastian Herrera.
The club is slated to play its final season at Heart Health Park at Cal Expo in 2026 before its planned move into the new stadium in 2027.
