Erik Stover Leaves Cosmos
October 2, 2026 Paterson, NJ
The New York Cosmos have announced that Erik Stover has left the club and departed his role as Chief Executive Officer.
The Cosmos issued the following statement:
"We thank Erik for his commitent to the Cosmos and his contributions to the club's development. We appreciate his dedication and the role he has played in helping lay the foundation for the club's next chapter."
Erik Stover previously served as the Cosmos Chief Operating Officer (COO) from November 2012 – September 2018. He took the reins of the organization in November 2012 to oversee the business and soccer operations for the club's highly anticipated "Cosmos 2.0" relaunch. Under his leadership, the Cosmos returned to competitive play in 2013 in the modern North American Soccer League (NASL). He successfully guided the front office through international club tours, stadium shifts across Long Island, and managed day-to-day operations under multiple ownership groups. He stepped down in late 2018 to pursue other sports ventures.
After the club went dormant due to the NASL folding, Stover returned to spearhead the return of the franchise to USL League One. Operating through the new management entity North Jersey Pro Soccer, Stover was named CEO. He was tasked with rebuilding the franchise, orchestrating their historic competitive return at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey.
Following Guiseppi Rossi's resignation as Head of Soccer, the club is undergoing a restructuring process led by Baye Adofo-Wilson, the Majority Owner, Chairperson, and Managing Partner of the New York Cosmos. Recently, Vincenzo Bernardo, a minority partner and owner of Morris Elite SC, has temporarily assumed Rossi's Head of Soccer responsibilities. It is anticipated that Head Coach Davide Corti will be granted greater decision-making power in sporting matters as the Cosmos aim to establish a successful team for the 2027 campaign.
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