Rhode Island FC names Lou DePaoli as its new president

Rhode Island FC names Lou DePaoli as its new president

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Leadership Turnover at Rhode Island FC Brings a Controversial Figure to Pawtucket

Rhode Island FC has named Lou DePaoli as its new president, making him the fourth person to hold the title in four years for the Pawtucket-based minor league soccer franchise. DePaoli arrives at Centreville Bank Stadium after a lengthy career in professional sports, but his appointment also brings renewed attention to a high-profile discrimination lawsuit from his tenure with the New York Mets, golocalprov.com reported.

The club has experienced steady executive turnover. Brett Luy served as president in 2023, followed by David Peart, who held the post for less than two years before Sean Carey stepped in as interim president. Now, ownership has turned to DePaoli, whose background spans Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and the National Hockey League.

“Lou’s incomparable experience across Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League is a further testament to the platform that we are building at Rhode Island FC and Centreville Bank Stadium,” said Rhode Island FC Co-Founder and Chairman Brett Johnson in the official announcement.

The New York Mets Tenure and Federal Court Filings

Before taking the helm in Rhode Island, DePaoli spent seven years as the executive vice president and chief revenue officer for the New York Mets. During that period, the franchise became the center of a global employment discrimination lawsuit filed in U.S. Federal Court by Leigh Castergine, the team’s former senior vice president for ticket sales and service.

According to federal court records detailed in the report, Castergine alleged that Jeffrey Wilpon, the team’s chief operating officer and son of the principal owner, repeatedly harassed and discriminated against her after she became pregnant. Castergine stated in her court filings that Wilpon expressed opposition to her having a child outside of marriage and humiliated her in front of colleagues.

The lawsuit explicitly named DePaoli in connection with these workplace dynamics. Court documents state that in September 2013, Castergine attended a meeting with DePaoli and other senior male executives where personnel discussed a female employee who “hasn’t been the same since she had children.” Castergine informed DePaoli and Wilpon of her own pregnancy later that month.

Further allegations in the lawsuit asserted that DePaoli was aware of Wilpon’s behavior and present during discriminatory remarks. When Castergine formally complained to DePaoli that Wilpon stated she would be respected more if she married, DePaoli acknowledged the comment but dismissed the complaint without taking action. The lawsuit alleged that DePaoli’s treatment of Castergine subsequently became more hostile.

In its formal response to the litigation, the Mets organization contended that business conflicts between Castergine and her immediate supervisor, DePaoli, along with other executives, predated any knowledge of her pregnancy. The high-profile lawsuit ultimately settled in March 2015, approximately six months after its filing, with terms remaining confidential.

DePaoli Oversees Rhode Island FC and Stadium Operations

In his new role, DePaoli will oversee both Rhode Island FC and the operations at Centreville Bank Stadium.

“I am excited to join Rhode Island FC and Centreville Bank Stadium and work alongside the team to build on the strong foundation already in place,” DePaoli said in a statement released by the club. “This is a passionate sports market with tremendous potential.”

GoLocal reached out to DePaoli by email and social media for comment regarding his appointment and past tenure with the Mets, but he did not respond to requests for an interview.

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