Christina Unkel, J.D, M.B.A is an entrepreneur, legal attorney, multi-business owner, and sports tv analyst/journalist. As a past NCAA collegiate soccer athlete and former FIFA referee, Christina has spent the past 15 years working and performing at the highest professional, international, and collegiate levels of the soccer game among the elite players of the world.

Unkel’s television broadcasting work includes covering the 2019 Women’s World Cup at Fox Sports and European Football (UEFA Champions League and Europa League) for CBS HQ and Paramount +. Christina has been announced as the new State Referee Administrator (SRA) for the Florida State Referee Committee (FLSRC). Christina is also a journalist for The Athletic and CBS Sports covering referees, the laws of the game, and legal issues in sports. 

Unkel’s dedication to professional soccer and equitable opportunity through sports extends beyond the field through a variety of endeavors that have been established under her leadership include:

–       Founder of SPARQ Advocacy

–       Co-owner of Scorch Fitness

–       Co-owner, Scorch on Demand and The Deadlift Effect (mobile apps)

–       Founder of Scorch Community, a 501c3 providing athletic, education, and wellness initiatives to underserved teens in Sarasota.

Unkel is a graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic, Stetson MBA Program, and Stetson Law and is the recipient of numerous awards including, Sarasota’s Women of Influence, Best of SRQ Magazine Business Leader and Lawyer, Best of Lawyers in Tampa Bay, Sarasota County Bar’s Presidents Award, and PBA’s Top 50 Alumni. She has held several chair and committee positions in her legal and sports capacities and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the International Women’s Forum (Suncoast Chapter) and is active member of the Women in Sports and Events “WISE”.

Kiernan has spent the majority of her career in the sports and publishing business with roots in the golf industry as a professional athlete. She graduated from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem NC where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. Some of the major companies where she learned the trade are Time Inc, Hearst Communications, the LPGA Tour and Foundation and most recently USA Lacrosse.

As a daughter of an FBI agent and teacher she was born in Tokyo, Japan and has spent many years living in various cities like Hong Kong, San Francisco, Baltimore and ultimately found her way back to the great state of Florida. Tampa has been her home for the last seven years where she and her husband have raised two sporty children who have recently graduated from local high schools (Jesuit and Academy of the Holy Names). She looks forward to adding to the amazing sports atmosphere of Tampa by being an integral part of the success of the city’s first women’s professional soccer team!

Desiree is an experienced sports professional having worked in the nonprofit, major league and minor league baseball, and collegiate settings. Bringing her skills of business operations to the table, she will focus on corporate partnerships and fan experience, ensuring everyone finds they place with the Sun experience.

Desiree, a native of Watkins Glen, NY, has education from Virginia Wesleyan University and Old Dominion University. She is a former collegiate cheerleader and coach and a lover of all sports. She is a certified swim instructor thanks to the Tampa YMCA and is an active member of WISE Tampa Bay. She enjoys walks with her husky (Denver), taking the boat out for a sunset cruise, and going to concerts at the Amphitheater. Desiree is married to her best friend, Zac, who she met in baseball, and has an amazing son Harrison who she is excited to see grow his love of sports too.

As an advocate for women in sports, Desiree is honored to be sharing in the excitement and passion for professional women’s sports in Tampa Bay. See you on the pitch!

Tampa Bay Sun FC welcomes Tiffany Hubert, a seasoned communications and branding leader bringing over a decade of experience in the sports and entertainment industry. With a vision for connecting brands with consumers, she began her career in commercial casting, sourcing on-air talent and scripted personalities for renowned clients such as NIKE, Carl’s Jr. and American Express.

Upon returning to the Sunshine State, Hubert would leave an indelible mark with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During her tenure she authored messaging for team ownership, curated community/player initiatives and spearheaded a nationally-recognized social justice program. Following the team’s Super Bowl 55 victory, Hubert took her talent world-wide as the Publicist for the iconic Harlem Globetrotters. While there, Hubert developed an extensive Player Ambassador Program and secured prominent placements for the team on acclaimed national platforms such as Good Morning America, The Today Show, and Master Chef Jr.

With a steadfast commitment to amplifying the voices of players both on and off the field, she is poised to elevate the team’s presence and foster deep-rooted connections with fans. As Tiffany Hubert steps into her role, she brings with her a diverse wealth of experience, a dynamic vision, and an unwavering determination to cultivate team affinity and drive the growth of the beautiful game in her beloved backyard.

Laura is an accomplished sports professional who has spent the vast majority of her career in sales and business development. Laura will lead the creation and implementation of the club’s ticketing strategies and operations. 

Laura previously worked at WorkInSports.com, where she led the company’s educational sales pillar, which involved partnering with colleges across the U.S. and Canada to assist sport business students trying to break into the industry.

Laura earned all of her degrees at the University of South Florida in Tampa. She received her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications while working at USF Athletics as the university’s mascot, Rocky D. Bull, for four years. She then went on to complete her MBA in Sport Business and her MS in Sport & Entertainment Management with the Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management program while working at USF Athletics as an Event Management GA and at the Vinik Sports Group as a Sales Fellow.

Laura is a ‘military brat’ who has lived in many places across the globe, but has called Tampa home for over 15 years and can’t wait to make history in Champa Bay!

Victoria, a proud alumna of the University of South Florida, comes from a background in property management, sales, and operations. With a fervent love for professional women’s sports, she steps into her role as an Account Executive on a mission to drive ticket sales and unite fans from all walks of life under the Tampa Bay Sun FC’s banner.

In her professional journey, Victoria has cultivated a depth of experience in the realm of property management and student housing, in both the Tampa and Gainesville markets. Her initiatives and leadership have been instrumental in driving sales, enhancing reputation, and increasing property revenue. Now, she hopes to bring this experience to the Tampa Bay Sun FC and make an impactful contribution to the team’s success.

When Victoria isn’t cheering on Tampa Bay’s sports teams, you’ll likely find her in the corner of her favorite local coffee shop, paired with a cappuccino and a good book. She is incredibly excited to make history and help bring professional women’s sports to Tampa Bay!