The Man Who Sells the Referees: Chris Rivett

Prematch: The Elevator PitchWhen Chris Rivett meets a stranger and tells them he is the Director of Communications for PRO Referees, he knows what’s coming. The eye roll. The joke about a missed call. The skepticism.So, he has developed a survival mechanism. An opening line.“Just hang in there for me,” he tells them. “Hear me out. I might just change your mind.”Chris isn’t just a spokesman. He is a crisis manager, a storyteller, and a bridge between the laws of the game and the raw emotion of the fans. But to understand how he handles the pressure of MLS officiating, you have to understand where he learned to handle pressure in the first place.It wasn’t on a soccer pitch. It was in a shoe factory.First Half: The BootsChris grew up in Northampton, England—a working-class town about an hour north of London. He didn’t have a grand plan to work in sports. He just wanted a job.His first “real” gig was as a management trainee for Dr. Martens, the iconic boot manufacturer.“I was earning money while my friends were spending it,” Chris recalls.He spent four years there, rotating through departments. He tested software in IT. He worked in marketing. He learned how a global brand protects its reputation. It was a corporate education that most people in soccer never get.When he finally moved into football—first as a website editor for his hometown club, Northampton Town, and later at Luton Town—he brought that corporate discipline with him. He treated the club like a business, not just a passion project.Second Half: The “First Team”In 2005, long before “social media manager” was a real job title, Chris started his own communications agency. He worked with the English Football League, the Welsh Rugby Union, and huge sponsors like Samsung.But the move to PRO Referees was the biggest gamble of his life. It meant uprooting his wife and two teenage daughters and moving across the ocean to the United States.Why do it? Because he saw a problem he wanted to fix.“I once saw someone refer to referees as the ‘Third Team’,” Chris says. “And the referees were grateful just to be acknowledged! I was like, ‘Why are we the Third Team? We are the First Team.’”Think about it: The players change. The coaches get fired. But the referees? They are the only ones who step onto the field for every single game.Post Match: The Blank CanvasAt PRO, Chris is trying to build a culture where referees are treated like professional athletes. They have performance coaches. They have video analysts. They have an internal “Academy” (PRO2) where they develop talent just like a club.He admits the challenge is massive. In England, you are fighting 100 years of “baggage”—the way things have always been done. In America, the sport is still growing. It’s a startup culture.During our “Stoppage Time” segment, I asked Chris if he prefers interior or exterior design.“Interior,” he said immediately. “It’s a blank canvas. There is only so much you can do with the outside.”That is exactly how he views his job at PRO. He can’t change the laws of the game (the exterior). But he can change how we talk about them, how we understand them, and how we treat the people who enforce them.Extra Time: The Anti-EnglishmanFor a man who grew up in Northampton and spent his career in English football, Chris Rivett has one dark secret.“I absolutely despise tea,” he laughs. “I am very anti-English in that stance.”He prefers coffee. He eats chicken tenders. He is, by all accounts, adapting to American life perfectly. Now, if he can just convince American fans to give his referees a break, his job will be complete.To hear Chris discuss the “Dr. Martens” days, his startup journey, and why he believes the US is the best place in the world for the future of soccer, listen to the latest episode of Side Story Sports.Our conversation dives deep into the world of refereeing, covering:🔹 The Structure of PRO Referees – How the organization operates, from different referee tiers to the support staff, including coaches, analysts, and sports performance specialists.🔹 Referee Training & Development – The rigorous training camps, ongoing coaching, and the emphasis on teamwork among officials.🔹 Public & Media Relations – The challenges of communicating about refereeing, addressing misconceptions, and educating fans on the complexities of the job.🔹 Diversity & Inclusion – The rise of women referees and the broader efforts to promote diversity in the profession.🔹 The Future of Refereeing – The role of technology, the evolution of the game, and what’s next for officiating in North America.Chris also shares his personal journey, including his career path and his experience moving from England to the U.S.This episode offers a fascinating inside look at the world of professional referees—highlighting the dedication, expertise, and behind-the-scenes efforts that keep the game fair and flowing.🎧 Tune in now to gain a new appreciation for the officials who help make soccer possible! 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