Will Kevin Ring The Changes At USA Swimming As New President & CEO?
New boss at USA Swimming emphasises his work in golf and a focus on creating "a modernised revenue plan" as he takes the World No 1 swim nation reigns at a federation facing serious challenges at home and abroad
Kevin M. Ring - a businessman who played hockey in his youth, remains steeped in that sport, has worked in the realm of PGA gold, and has served as the head of "Golf at Legends" - has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of USA Swimming.
The swim federation announced that Ring "brings a proven record of building revenue and elevating fan engagement across some of the world’s most competitive sports".
That message will be heard loud and clear by an elite swim community, which is three years out from a home Olympic Games and has been at odds with USA Swimming in recent times.
Some of the issues raised by differences of opinion and understanding of how the USA got to be No1 world swim nation and, for many years, retain that status with flying colours, cut to the very heart of a schism building in the sport globally. More on that over the weekend in parts 3 and 4 of our FORUM special on the state of swimming in the U.S., holding hands with the Ghosts of USA Swimming past and present.
Meanwhile, Ring spoke directly to the domestic membership in this appointment quote and video that follows his written words:
“In order to succeed as CEO of USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation, initially, I will spend meaningful time listening and learning, creating partnerships with key stakeholders, and communicating clearly with the board, stakeholders, membership, and USA Swimming staff. We will build a culture of transparency, innovation and modernization, all the while keeping focus on the mission and building upon the solid foundation already in place. This will be done using my experience with the PGA which aligns well with USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation while also using my experience at Legends which allowed me to be CEO of my business while working with the commercially driven entity of Legends and the mission based Association at the PGA that has allowed both to create a modernized revenue plan. These complementary skills brought together will lead to the next phase of growth and leadership at USA Swimming.”
The tone of Ring's arrival:
The USA Swimming statement on Ring's appointment, beyond its introductory news line, reads as follows (commentary on what follows will be included in our FORUM):
At Legends, Ring oversaw strategic growth initiatives in the global golf business, creating innovative partnerships, media strategies, and commercial platforms that enhanced both athlete and fan experiences. Prior to Legends, he served as Chief Revenue Officer and Chief Marketing Officer at the PGA of America, where he spearheaded efforts to grow the game of golf through new sponsorship models, media rights deals, grassroots engagement, and enhanced championship experiences.
“I’m excited to see Kevin stepping into this role with a focus on collaboration,” said Natalie Coughlin, Chair-Elect of the USA Swimming Board of Directors. “His commitment to empowering athlete leadership, strengthening coach development, and bringing all stakeholders to the table is exactly what USA Swimming needs to move forward. I’m confident his leadership will make a lasting impact on our sport.”
As CEO, Ring will lead USA Swimming’s strategy to expand membership, increase revenue, and maximize the momentum of the sport heading into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. His appointment comes at a pivotal time, as the organization focuses on the long-term health of the sport in the United States. Ring will also serve as the CEO of the USA Swimming Foundation, focusing on furthering their mission of saving lives, building champions, and impacting communities.
“Swimming is one of the world’s most inspiring and global sports, and I am honored to join USA Swimming at such an important moment,” said Ring.
“There is an extraordinary opportunity to grow participation, connect with new fans, and develop innovative partnerships that will fuel success for the entire swimming community. I look forward to working with our athletes, coaches, volunteers, and partners to expand the reach and impact of this incredible sport.”
This search was led by a dedicated Task Force of USA Swimming Olympians, coaches, and volunteer leaders, in partnership with Creative Artists Agency (CAA). The Task Force’s broad knowledge of swimming, combined with CAA’s deep expertise in executive sports placements, ensured a comprehensive and competitive process, ultimately bringing forward a leader uniquely positioned to guide USA Swimming into the future.
“Kevin’s track record in driving participation and revenue growth aligns perfectly with USA Swimming’s goals as we enter a new era,” said Chris Brearton, Chair of the USA Swimming Board of Directors. “Just as important, Kevin understands the vital role of supporting athletes and coaches at every stage of their journey and ensuring they have the resources to succeed. His ability to bring demonstrated best practices from other sports to empower our athletes, coaches, and the broader swimming community will be instrumental as we head into LA2028 and beyond”
Ring will officially assume the role of CEO on September 17.
THE SOS FORUM:
Part 1:
Craig Lord
Part 2
Craig Lord
