United Soccer League Gets Investment From Ex-Carlyle CEO Lee (1)

The United Soccer League has received a strategic investment from a firm founded by Kewsong Lee, the former chief executive officer of Carlyle Group.

The USL, which governs most lower-division leagues in the US, intends to launch a men’s Division I league, putting it in direct competition with Major League Soccer.

BellTower Partners is now a minority stakeholder in the USL, according to a statement from the USL and BellTower. Terms of the transactions weren’t disclosed. Lee will join the USL board as vice chair, where he’ll serve alongside league Chief Executive Officer Alec Papadakis and chairman Rob ...