Bill Shively
Role
Owner / Founder, Tower Hill Sports (parent of Lexington Sporting Club). Owner, Dixiana Thoroughbred Farm — historic horse breeding operation in Lexington, KY.
Background
Shively’s wealth derives from the Dixiana Thoroughbred Farm, a storied Central Kentucky horse breeding operation. He entered soccer in January 2019 by opening the original Tower Hill Sports complex in Lexington, positioning it as a facility for youth and adult soccer.
In October 2021, he secured a USL League One expansion franchise for Lexington, branded Lexington Sporting Club in March 2022. The pro club began play in 2023. The club transitioned to USL Championship for the 2025 season. His facility investment totals up to $82M (stadium + 7 training fields near I-75).
Connections
- Lexington Sporting Club — Majority owner via Tower Hill Sports
- Lexington SC Stadium — Developer
- Tower Hill Sports Complex — Founder
Context
The most significant privately-funded soccer investor in Kentucky. Shively is effectively running the SYNRGY playbook — vertically integrated pro + youth + facility — with horse-country wealth rather than PE capital. Makes Lexington a defended market. Worth tracking as a potential comparable transaction, strategic partner, or (unlikely) acquisition counterparty if he ever chooses to exit.