Neil Buethe is a veteran communications and content strategist with more than two decades of experience helping global sports federations, clubs, teams and other organizations shape and enhance their public perception and elevate their visibility and relevance on the world stage.
As Chief Communications Officer for the U.S. Soccer Federation for more than 20+ years, Buethe served as the organization’s primary spokesperson and led a multi-disciplinary team that oversaw communications and content development for all 27 National Teams, including the senior Men’s and Women’s National Teams, 16 Youth National Teams, and nine Extended National Teams.
Now as Founder and CEO of 18th and Prairie, Buethe helps federations, clubs, sponsors, broadcasters, and media companies tell their story with clarity, creativity, and credibility in an increasingly complex media landscape.
Buethe blends strategic insight with creative vision to drive narratives, build campaigns and develop content that resonate with media and fans alike. His work integrates high-impact media coverage, strategic brand positioning, and effective storytelling to grow audiences and strengthen reputations.
A trusted advisor at the highest levels, Buethe is a go-to strategist for executive communications and has counseled Presidents, CEOs, National Team sporting directors and coaches and other senior executives. Bringing a rare combination of creativity, diplomacy, and tactical precision to every project, he is an expert in navigating complex media environments, managing high-stake situations, and shaping public perception for clients.
Known for his steady leadership in moments of triumph and crisis alike, Buethe played a central role during the Federation’s evolution and growth, positioning U.S. Soccer as a modern, purpose-driven organization. Responsible for media relations, executive communications, brand messaging, social and digital content, and crisis planning, he led the Federation’s efforts for more than 10 senior FIFA World Cups, five Olympic Games, and multiple Youth World Cups, Concacaf Gold Cups and various other prominent global events.
In addition to media strategy, Buethe played a key role in advancing U.S. Soccer’s government relations efforts, building trusted relationships with members of Congress, the White House, and federal agencies. He helped drive bipartisan engagement around major initiatives and navigated complex political landscapes to secure support for multiple World Cup hosting bids.
He was the chief communications architect behind the successful United Bid to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, personally traveling with top executives to over 40 countries to build support and shape international narratives.
In 2016, he served as the Head of Communications and Content for the record-setting Copa America Centenario, assembling and managing a 50-person communications team and outlining the media and content strategy in just eight months.
Known for blending creative storytelling with tactical precision, Buethe created U.S. Soccer’s now-iconic SheBelieves campaign ahead of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, building a movement that has inspired millions of young girls around the world. His innovative and persistent approach in driving the women’s game forward propelled the Federation to create the annual SheBelieves Cup and SheBelieves Summit which are globally known events today.
Buethe began his career at U.S. Soccer in 2003 as a press officer for the Youth and Extended National Teams and later became the Federation’s first Content Manager, developing its creative content and social media strategy from scratch. He transformed the Federation’s fan engagement by implementing cutting-edge digital and creative strategies that set record digital growth and were adopted by other soccer federations, teams, clubs and sports organizations across the world. He also created and hosted Studio 90, U.S. Soccer’s groundbreaking daily video series, which set the standard for behind-the-scenes storytelling and direct fan engagement in global soccer. He also developed the Federation’s first podcast in 2020.
Buethe is a Board Member of the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit that has awarded more than 1,100 scholarships to students in Northeastern Wisconsin and beyond. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago.
