HOUSTON – Chairman of the Board J. Kent Friedman has named longtime Houston sports executive Chris Canetti as interim Chief Executive Officer of the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority. 

Canetti is currently serving as President of the FIFA World Cup 26 Houston Host Committee. He will continue serving in that capacity while acting as interim CEO of the HCHSA. 

“Chris has a proven track record of success here in Houston,” said J. Kent Friedman, Chairman of the Board of the HCHSA. “We know that with his experience he will help guide the organization and ensure that all obligations and responsibilities are met during this period of transition.” 

Before his work as President on the FIFA World Cup 26 Houston Host Committee, Canetti served as President of the city’s World Cup bid committee. Prior to helping lead efforts to bring the FIFA World Cup to Houston, Canetti spent 13 seasons with the Houston Dynamo where he worked as team President for 8 of those years. 

Canetti will assume the role of interim CEO effective immediately. 

As for solidifying HCHSA leadership moving forward, the Chairman of the Board will organize a special committee which will be tasked with identifying and hiring a permanent CEO.