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Michael was twice named to the "Forty Under 40" Top Sports Business Executives by the Sports Business Journal and is widely regarded as one of the more prominent figures in the sports world. As the current Commissioner of the newly formed United Football League (UFL), Mr. Huyghue adds to this great honor to 20 years of experience as a General Manager, League Executive, Player Agent, and Attorney for the National Football League, the NFL Players Association and at the Club Level. Michael earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University, where he starred as a football and baseball player, and earned his law degree from the University of Michigan. He has held a wide range of executive positions during his career in professional sports, which gives him an invaluable understanding of professional sports from the perspective of the player-athlete as well as the team front officer. After a brief stint in the legal department with the NFL Players Association, Michael was hired by the NFL Management Council, the NFL's collective bargaining and negotiating arm, where he quickly earned a reputation as an outstanding litigator, handling hundreds of arbitration hearings on injury and non-injury grievances. Then, in 1989, Michael became the youngest general manager in professional football when, at the age of 29, he was selected in the inaugural season on the NFL's World League, reporting directly to the President of the NFL. In 1992 Michael was hired to run the football and business operations of the Detroit Lions. During Michael's tenure as Vice President and General Counsel, the Lions won the NFL Central Division Championship. Michael was then chosen by Jacksonville Jaguars' majority owner, Wayne Weaver, to lead the efforts of the new NFL expansion team. As the Senior Vice President of Football Operations for the Jaguars, Michael directed the team's overall budget and administration and had primary responsibility for negotiating all player contracts. In just five seasons, the Jaguars became the winningest franchise in all of professional sports, achieving two AFC Central Division Championships and an unprecedented two AFC Championship appearances. Michael has served on many of the NFL Commissioner's prominent committees, including the NFL Management Council, the Executive Working Group Committee, the NFL College Advisory Committee, the NFL Europe League, and as a Trustee of the NFL Players Insurance Trust. Michael has been a close advisor to NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue on the sensitive issue of minority hiring of NFL coaches and front office personnel. In addition, Michael is a certified player representative in the NFL and NBA, and is a Player Manager on the PGA Tour. Michael was the incoming chairman of Cornerstone, the economic development arm of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. He also served as a member of the board of directors of the MPS Group NYSE: (MPS), formerly known as Modis Professional Services. He has served on the boards of trustees of his alma mater, Cornell University , Edward Waters College in Jacksonville , and the Jacksonville Country Day School . Michael and his wife Kimberly have two daughters: Kristen, Kathryn, and son Tyler. The Huyghue family lives in Ponte Vedra , Florida . In his leisure time, Michael enjoys reading, skiing, golf, tennis and travel. |
