Boston Mayor Wu’s tourism chief leaving to join pro soccer team partnering with city on White Stadium rebuild

Mayor Michelle Wu’s tourism director is leaving City Hall for a job with Boston Legacy FC, amid a contentious public-private rebuild of White Stadium that critics have called a giveaway to the wealthy investment group that owns the soccer team.
Boston Legacy, a new National Women’s Soccer League team set to share use of White Stadium with Boston Public School student-athletes, announced Tuesday that it has hired John Borders IV as senior vice president of partnerships.
“John brings an extraordinary ability to connect people, organizations and purpose,” Legacy Chief Revenue Officer Amina Bulman said in a statement. “His deep roots in Boston, proven track record in building meaningful partnerships, and commitment to community impact make him an incredible addition to our leadership team.
“As we continue building Boston Legacy Football Club, John will play a critical role in shaping partnerships that strengthen both our business and our connection to the communities we serve,” Bulman added.
Borders has worked as the city’s director of tourism, sports and entertainment for three years, a position that is part of the mayor’s office. He plans to leave his City Hall post at the end of March, and start his job with the Legacy in early April, Wu’s office said.
He previously worked for the Boston Celtics and the Patrick administration for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
It’s unclear whether his new job comes with a pay bump. Borders was paid $135,243 by the city last year, per payroll records. A Boston Legacy spokesperson declined to share what his salary will be.
“I’m incredibly honored to join Boston Legacy FC during such an exciting time for professional women’s soccer and for the city,” Borders said in a statement. “Boston has always been home, and I look forward to developing partnerships that not only grow the club’s impact, but also invest in the people and neighborhoods that make the city so special.”
Wu’s tourism director is joining the Boston Legacy amid its inaugural season, which is being played at Gillette Stadium due to construction delays with the city’s public-private plan to rebuild Franklin Park’s White Stadium.
His transition from City Hall to the city’s private partner comes amid criticism from project opponents that the $325 million stadium rebuild has been a giveaway to the wealthy soccer investment group.
Public records first reported by the Herald last year showed that the city’s private soccer investment partner was given a head start in the public bidding process.
The records included internal emails between the city and Boston Unity Soccer Partners that revealed negotiations to rehab White Stadium for a pro soccer team were underway long before the city sent out a public request for proposals. When the RFP went out, it very closely resembled the framework discussed between the investor group and the city.
Josh Kraft, Wu’s mayoral opponent last year, accused the city of coordinating a “rigged” bidding process after the records came to light.
The stadium project has proven to be divisive in part due to the escalating price tag, which has nearly tripled since the plan was announced two years ago, and now has taxpayers coughing up $135 million for the city’s costs.
The project was first announced as a rebuild that would cost taxpayers $50 million. Boston Legacy is now on the hook for more than $190 million for its half of the stadium renovations.
Wu has championed the White Stadium plan as a win for Boston Public Schools students and responded to criticism, stating that the city couldn’t afford the rebuild of the long-dilapidated facility without the private investment.
The mayor praised Borders’ work as part of her administration and his decision to join Boston Legacy FC, which is under a 10-year lease agreement with the city for use of White Stadium.
“John has been a tremendous leader for our city and a driving force in showcasing Boston’s vibrant neighborhoods and community spirit to the nation and the world,” Wu said in a statement. “I can’t imagine a better choice for this exciting opportunity. I know he’ll continue to carry that momentum forward into his new role with Legacy FC and keep bringing people together across our city.”
Borders, a Dorchester native, led a tourism department that launched new initiatives like the Dear Summer Mixtape Series, and relaunched the BPS All-Star Marching Band, the mayor’s office said.
He is leaving ahead of what’s expected to be a busy year for tourism in the city.
Boston is a host city for the FIFA World Cup this summer, and is holding 250th anniversary celebrations throughout the year, which includes the return of the Tall Ships to Boston Harbor in July. Borders will also be departing ahead of next month’s Boston Marathon.
The mayor’s office did not respond to an inquiry about whether the city has hired his replacement.