Shining Knight Award

Now in its sixth year in MLS, the club is focused on growing its place in the Greater Cincinnati region in its new home, a world-class, privately funded $250 million TQL stadium in the West End neighborhood, next to Over-the-Rhine.

Prior to his August 2015 founding of FC Cincinnati, Berding served for more than 19 years as an executive with the Cincinnati Bengals where he led sales and public affairs efforts for the city’s NFL franchise.

The hugely successful launch of FC Cincinnati was consistent with Berding’s track record of working to make his hometown a better place to live, work and raise a family.

Jeff is President of the FCC Foundation, Chairman for Visit Cincy, Co-Chair for Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, has volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years and now serves on the Board in addition to his committed service on Cincinnati City Council. Jeff also serves on the Board of the Cincinnati Art Museum and his alma mater, St. Xavier High School.

He has been awarded numerous civic awards, including a spot among the top 100 leaders in history of the local United Way, the 2006 “40 Under 40” from the Cincinnati Business Courier, was featured at the 2018 Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA’s Annual Gala & was awarded the 2019 EY Entrepreneur of the Year.

Berding is a fifth-generation Cincinnatian, born and raised in Westwood where he attended St. Xavier High School. He graduated cum laude from Miami University and earned his master’s in business administration with honors from Xavier University in 1999. He has three adult children: Allie, Jack and Grace. With his wife Lindsay, the family resides in the city’s Mt. Lookout neighborhood.