Christina Unkel

Christina Unkel (née Ibanez; born 1986 or 1987) is an American sports executive, attorney, broadcaster and former football referee. She currently serves as President and General Manager of Tampa Bay Sun FC, the inaugural champions of the USL Super League.

Early life

Unkel started refereeing at the age of ten. She graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2008, after which she attended Stetson University, earning a Juris Doctor and an MBA.[1]

Career

In 2024, Unkel was appointed President and General Manager of Tampa Bay Sun FC, where she built and led the club through a history-making inaugural season in the USL Super League, culminating in a championship title and national recognition for both the team and the league.

In 2024, Unkel partnered with former U.S. Women’s National Team player Lori Lindsey to launch The Soccer Podcast USA, a show focused on the future of women’s soccer, covering everything from player pathways and league development to global tournament analysis. The show is available on major platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Unkel is a former FIFA referee, with experience internationally and in professional domestic leagues in the United States. She later served as State Referee Administrator for the Florida State Referee Committee.[2][3]

Unkel is also a globally recognized soccer analyst, providing expert commentary for major broadcasters including FOX Sports, CBS Sports, ESPN, and ITV during tournaments such as the FIFA Women’s World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and UEFA Euro 2024. In June 2024, she was employed by British television broadcaster ITV as a refereeing and rules expert for the coverage of the UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany. She received praise for her work, being described as "authoritative" by The Guardian.[4]

Unkel began her career in soccer as a referee, becoming one of the youngest FIFA-certified officials in the world, and officiated at the highest levels of the sport, including international tournaments and professional leagues, before shifting into leadership and media roles.

Before transitioning into sports executive leadership, Unkel worked as a litigation attorney and sports law expert, leveraging her J.D. and MBA degrees to advise on legal, regulatory, and compliance matters in the athletic and media sectors.

In addition to her executive role in professional soccer, Unkel is the founder of SPARQ Consulting, where she advises athletes, organizations, and media entities on sports governance, ethics, and leadership.

She has served on multiple advisory boards and leadership councils, including Women in Sports and Events (WISE) Tampa Bay, and has been recognized for her impact as a Latina executive in both national and regional forums.

Unkel is a sought-after public speaker, delivering keynotes and panels on topics ranging from sports leadership and legal ethics to gender equity and entrepreneurship at conferences including TEDxUSFSM, the Women’s Conference of Florida, WISE Tampa Bay, and events hosted by the Latin Chamber of Commerce.

With a rare combination of experience across law, officiating, executive management, and media, Unkel is widely regarded as a trailblazer in the global soccer industry and a leading advocate for equity, integrity, and innovation in sport.


Personal life

Unkel married American football referee Ted Unkel on 2 May 2009, after meeting at a football tournament in Cocoa Beach, Florida.[5]

She is also an avid Leeds United fan.[6]

References

  1. ^ Stinson, Jim (August 9, 2023). "Sarasota attorney, entrepreneur dives headfirst into next big career challenge". Business Observer. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  2. ^ Krishnaiyer, Kartik (December 12, 2023). "Christina Unkel excels in CBS role as referee rules analyst". World Soccer Talk. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  3. ^ Hancock, Tom (17 June 2024). "Euro 2024: Who is ITV referee expert Christina Unkel?". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  4. ^ Brewin, John (16 June 2024). "American VAR expert Christina Unkel gives ITV edge over BBC at Euro 2024". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  5. ^ "I now pronounce you wps ref and wife". bleacherreport.com. 5 May 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  6. ^ Baxter, Kevin (June 27, 2023). "Christina Unkel unafraid to call it like it is". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2024-03-25.
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