Medfusion Founder Steve Malik Becomes NASL Club’s New Owner
Soccer News: The Carolina RailHawks, a founding member of the North American Soccer League (NASL), have been purchased by local technology entrepreneur Stephen N. Malik.
Malik purchased the club from Traffic Sports USA and will assume 100% ownership, effective immediately. He will represent the RailHawks on the NASL Board of Governors.
“We’re all extremely excited to welcome Steve into the NASL family,” said NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson. “He’s a great person, and his passion for both the RailHawks and the Triangle area will lift the club into the upper echelon of pro soccer in this country very quickly.”
In 2000, Malik founded Medfusion, a Cary-based purveyor of online patient portals and other related services for healthcare providers. In 2010, Malik sold Medfusion to Intuit for $91 million. After serving as president of the rebranded Intuit Health for three years, Malik re-acquired Medfusion, where he currently serves as chairman. Malik is very involved with support for entrepreneurship in the local area including investment, advisory and board participation with various start-ups, venture funds, and academic innovation efforts. Malik grew up in Kinston, N.C. and is a UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus with a B.S. in Business Administration.
“The RailHawks are a superb organization representing one of the fastest growing regions with tremendous potential for soccer leadership in the nation,” Malik said. “Our goal is to take the RailHawks to the highest level through additional investment in marketing, players, and staffing. We are excited to lead our community in working together to give the Triangle a world-class soccer team.”
The RailHawks have enjoyed tremendous growth and success on and off the field over the last five years, having won the 2011 and 2013 regular-season championship, posted a record-setting 23-game home unbeaten streak, played in two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals, and defeated the five-time MLS Champion LA Galaxy in the Cup three years in a row (2012-14).
“This is a great day for the club, and a new day and new opportunity for the great fans and partners of the Railhawks,” Peterson said.
Malik’s arrival at the RailHawks marks a new era for the club as it prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2016. Not only does Malik have deep ties to the Triangle area business community, but he also is a passionate soccer fan having played in high school and coached at the youth level.
RailHawks President Curt Johnson will continue to lead the organization in the newly designated role of president and general manager; head coach Colin Clarke will return for his fifth season; and senior vice president Peter Sciandra will continue as a senior executive in the organization in the newly designated role of executive vice president.
“We are thrilled to welcome Steve as the new RailHawks owner,” Johnson said. “Steve’s passion for soccer, positive connection to the community, and desire for the RailHawks to be a division one organization is very apparent. He is going to be a driving force in growing the game at all levels in North Carolina. On day one, Steve made it clear that the resources will be there to elevate the organization on and off the field. Steve is exactly who we have been searching for.”
The RailHawks will host their season finale this evening at 7:30 p.m. ET, welcoming Indy Eleven to WakeMed Soccer Park. Malik will be on hand to greet supporters at the club’s Fan Appreciation Night, which will feature a fireworks show, autographs, and more. The game can be seen live on ESPN3 in the U.S. and NASL.com in Canada.
