Wendy Damonte - Co-Founder & CEO of Reno Pro Soccer | $350,000,000 Mixed-Use Development in Reno, NV

In this episode of The One Soccer Nation Podcast, host Kareem Rae speaks with Wendy Damonte, Co Founder and CEO of Reno Pro Soccer, about the structural decisions involved in launching a professional soccer club and stadium anchored mixed use development in Reno, Nevada.

Damonte is leading one of the most ambitious emerging projects in the USL ecosystem. The initiative centers on a mixed use district valued at roughly $350 million that combines a professional soccer stadium, entertainment district, hospitality assets, and commercial real estate in the heart of the city.

Her path into ownership is unconventional. With experience spanning broadcast journalism, healthcare leadership, and philanthropy, Damonte brings a community first philosophy and a storytelling mindset to building a professional sports organization.

The conversation explores several structural themes shaping modern club development

• How local ownership and community accountability influence long term sports infrastructure projects
• Why mixed use real estate has become central to the financial sustainability of professional clubs
• The strategic transition from a USL League One expansion concept to a USL Championship project
• How stadium design is evolving into year round civic infrastructure rather than single purpose sports venues
• Capital formation strategies for projects that combine professional sports assets with real estate development
• Leadership lessons from building a professional club outside traditional sports industry pathways

For investors, operators, and city leaders evaluating professional soccer expansion, the Reno project illustrates how modern clubs are increasingly built as integrated civic developments rather than standalone sports franchises.

The One Soccer Nation Podcast produces decision-grade conversations across the global soccer ecosystem documenting how clubs, leagues, and development systems are actually built, financed, and scaled.

Wendy Damonte Contact info:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/wendy-damonte-842209113
Email: wendy@renoprosoccer.com

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👉 Interested in appearing on the podcast or partnering?

Reach out directly via email to Kareem Rae: kr@onesoccernation.com

One Soccer Nation Website: onesoccernation.com

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DISCLAIMER: Kareem Rae runs One Soccer Nation (OSN) all views expressed by him and the guests on his podcast are solely their opinions and do not reflect the views of One Soccer Nation. You should not treat any opinion expressed by Kareem or his guests as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of his personal opinion. This podcast is for informational purposes only.

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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
02:02 Wendy's Journey to Soccer Ownership
04:05 The Concept of a Third Place
06:06 Building Community Through Soccer
14:55 Challenges and Opportunities in Reno
19:33 The Vision for Reno Pro Soccer
20:11 The Role of Local Ownership
23:13 Designing a Multi-Use Stadium
25:07 Wendy's Unique Path to Ownership
34:24 Future Plans and Community Impact
36:01 Overcoming Challenges in Stadium Development
37:07 The Importance of Local Support
38:14 Investor Interest and Project Scale
40:12 Phases of the Entertainment District
41:31 Wendy's Leadership and Vision
43:10 The Role of Women in Sports Leadership
44:05 Building a Legacy in Reno
48:18 The Impact of Sports on Community Health