Campbell’s CEO to become president of NFL team

Mark Clouse, president and CEO of the Campbell’s Company, is leaving the food industry for the NFL.

Clouse will become the new president of the Washington Commanders in late January. He will be in charge of all aspects of the team’s business operations, according to a Dec. 4 report by The Associated Press.

Clouse spent the last five years at Campbell’s, known until last month as Campbell Soup Co.

“In Mark we have found a dynamic leader with a stellar track record of guiding organizations to excellence, building brands that connect deeply with consumers, and ultimately delivering best-in-class experiences and lasting memories,” Josh Harris, Commanders managing partner, said in a statement on the organization’s website. “Mark shares our commitment to using the power of the Commanders franchise to bring people together. As a military veteran and accomplished business builder, he has a proven ability to strengthen both the organizations he leads and the communities he serves.”

John Keim, ESPN’s Commanders beat reporter, tweeted a photo of Clouse standing next to Harris with his arm around his shoulders at a Washington game.

Clouse will not be involved in football operations, Keim reported on espn.com.

After beginning his food industry career in 1996 with Kraft Foods, Clouse became Campbell’s CEO in 2019.

During Clouse’s time with the company, Campbell’s partnered with NFL teams, including Washington, as well as with Harris Blitzer Sports Entertainment, a venue management company run in part by Harris, Keim reported.

A Reddit thread indicated a bit of befuddlement on the part of the pigskin fan base, with one poster writing: “all that I can find about him is that he’s the CEO of campbell soup. i like soup.”

Another responded: “Yeah big soup fan here.”