Rhode Island Football Club Set to Debut at Beirne Stadium
Rhode Island Football Club (RIFC) will play its inaugural 2024 USL Championship season at Beirne Stadium, located on the campus of Bryant University in Smithfield, RI. While RIFC’s permanent soccer-specific stadium is under construction in Pawtucket, Beirne Stadium will serve as the club’s temporary home for the 2024 season.
RIFC’s permanent stadium will be the principal draw of the Tidewater Landing project set to open in 2025 with the vision/investment of Brett Johnson of Fortuitous Partners and Benevolent Capital. Tidewater Landing will be the largest economic development project in the history of Pawtucket. It will completely transform Pawtucket’s riverfront and support economic growth in the Blackstone Valley and Rhode Island for years to come. Brett Johnson’s vision for Pawtucket includes riverfront parks, an indoor sports center, apartments, shops, restaurants and offices in addition to a $45 million, 7,500 seat stadium.
“We’re thrilled to call Beirne Stadium home for our first USL Championship season,” said Khano Smith, RIFC’s Head coach. “Bryant University has a rich athletic tradition and top-notch facilities. Beirne Stadium will provide an exciting environment for our fans and the perfect setting as we kick off this new era of professional soccer in Rhode Island.”
RIFC’s season begins in mid-March 2024. The club will play 17 regular season home games at Beirne Stadium, with the potential for additional playoff and cup matches. Beirne Stadium seats 5,252 people, and RIFC plans to bring in additional seating to increase capacity for its matches. The stadium’s location just 20 minutes from downtown Providence will provide easy access for fans across Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut.
“We’re delighted to welcome Rhode Island Football Club and their fans to our campus for the 2024 season,” said Eileen Kwesiga, Professor of Management of Bryant University. “Beirne Stadium will make a fantastic home for professional soccer, and we look forward to RIFC building their fan base and community connections during their time here.”
Season tickets for RIFC’s inaugural season at Beirne Stadium will go on sale on their website. Additional details on the club’s schedule, roster, and partnerships will be announced in the coming months.
About Rhode Island Football Club
Rhode Island Football Club (RIFC) is Rhode Island’s professional soccer team, competing in the USL Championship. RIFC will kick off its inaugural season in March 2024, playing at Beirne Stadium on the campus of Bryant University. RIFC aims to bring the highest level of professional soccer to Rhode Island, inspire youth, and unite the community through the world’s game.
Benevolent Capital
At Benevolent Capital we have carved a niche for our investors by seamlessly blending traditional family values with cutting-edge investment strategies. Our approach is characterized by a thoughtful fusion of innovation and prudence, ensuring that every investment aligns with the long-term vision and legacy goals of our clients.
As principals we co-invest our own money in every deal we participate in, we do not charge our investors management fees, investors receive a 100% preferred gross return on their investment. After the 100% return (a 2X) the investor will receive a 70% net return with a 30% promote to the GP. This arrangement makes Benevolent Capital a trusted partner in safeguarding and growing wealth for our investors.
Benevolent Capital includes a world-class group of partners, associates and investors, and our portfolio now spans catalytic investments in venture capital, private equity, real estate development and a diverse collection of global professional soccer franchises. Our wide range of experience from managing successful companies, to completing management buyouts, acquisitions, and a wide variety of debt and equity investments totaling over $4 billion enables us to truly partner with the entrepreneurs and management teams of our portfolio companies and provide hands-on support and guidance towards realizing their full potential. Benevolent Capital has a proven track record of successful investments. Notably, our $200k investment in seed capital for Enzymatics, a biotech firm later ultimately acquired by Invitae (NASDAQ: NVTA), has yielded over $30MM in total returns for Benevolent Capital’s investors.
What sets us apart is not just our financial acumen but also our dedication to fostering meaningful relationships. Going beyond conventional investment practices, we prioritize open communication and transparency that allows us to build trust with our stakeholders, as principals we co-invest our own money in every deal we participate in making Benevolent Capital a trusted partner in safeguarding and growing wealth for our investors.
In an ever-evolving financial landscape, our expertise, coupled with Benevolent Capital’s commitment to hybrid family office investments, paints a picture of success, where financial prosperity meets enduring values.
About the Author
Brett M. Johnson, founder and CEO of Benevolent Capital, founder and partner of Fortuitous Partners, and co-founder and chairman of Rhode Island FC. He has a bachelor’s degree from Brown University and a Masters of Business Administration from the Presidential/Key Executive program at Pepperdine University. Brett is also a graduate from the Harvard Business School’s President’s Leadership Program in 2014. An active member of the Young Presidents Organization.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or wealth manager before making any investment decisions.
