Matt Valentine: Leadership Behind Atlético Dallas Ownership Expansion
Matt Valentine is a Dallas based corporate executive and entrepreneur who has combined deep experience in oil and gas operations with a growing commitment to professional soccer. As founder and partner of Rimrock Midstream, LLC and a former managing director at Millbrook Equity Partners, Matt Valentine has overseen mergers, acquisitions, and infrastructure development across gathering, processing, storage, and pipeline assets. He now leads the launch of the United Soccer League expansion club Atlético Dallas, serving as chairman and guiding both sporting and business strategy. Working with partners on stadium development, youth pathways, and community engagement, Valentine aims to build a sustainable club that contributes to local economic growth. His background as a varsity soccer standout at Washington University informs his vision for supporting athletes and fans at every level of the game.
Former NFL Player Joins Atlético Dallas Ownership Group
Atlético Dallas, a United Soccer League (USL) expansion franchise expected to begin play in 2027, expanded its ownership group in August 2025 with an investment from former National Football League (NFL) player Terrence C. Murphy. A Texas native who played college football at Texas A&M, Murphy has also been successful in business. Since retiring from the NFL due to injury, he has curated a business portfolio of more than 100 companies, including investments, acquisitions, and startups. Murphy is the sixth individual investor in Atlético Dallas, joining co-founders and lifelong friends Matt Valentine and Sam Morton and their business partners Luther Ott, Dan McAlone, and Kyle Martino.
In a news release, Murphy said he had been asked to join other sports ownership groups, but was particularly attracted to Atlético Dallas for a number of reasons, including his connection to the area and the team’s home stadium, the Cotton Bowl. At Texas A&M, Murphy played his last college football game at the stadium in the New Year’s Bowl. He’s also excited about the opportunity to build a franchise from the ground up, comparing the organization’s ethos “Glory From Dust” to his career: “I’ve had to work ten times harder just to get to the starting line where most people begin. That’s what this club is about – building brick by brick, with integrity, so we can look back and appreciate the journey.”
Valentine echoed that sentiment, citing Murphy’s connection to North Texas and his drive to build something great as reasons why he’s a good fit for the growing ownership group. He brings a great business pedigree to the group, having grown Terrence Murphy Companies to include successful brands like Murphy Signature Homes, Patriarch Property Management, and Black Wolf Ranch. He also has investments in sports properties like Sail GP, Major League Pickleball, and Pro Athlete Community.
Overall, Murphy’s portfolio investments have raised more than $550 million in capital. He scaled his first business venture, TM5, to $1.5 billion in sales within eight years of its launch. With real estate acquisitions and sales exceeding $5 billion, he is also among the top 1 percent of realtors in the US in total sales.
A decorated college football wide receiver, Murphy established nearly 40 team records during his four-year career at Texas A&M. He had at least 500 receiving yards in each of those four seasons, concluding his career with 2,600 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He also rushed for 209 yards and one touchdown. Murphy was a two-time All-American and three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree.
The Green Bay Packers selected Murphy in the second round, 58th overall, in the 2005 NFL Draft. He played just three games with the Packers, catching five passes for 36 yards, before retiring with a career-ending injury. With Atlético Dallas, he hopes to inspire the next generation of soccer players and bring together the North Texas community.
The USL Championship is a 24-team, Division II league sanctioned by the US Soccer Federation. It is North America’s fastest-growing professional soccer league; in addition to Atlético Dallas, the league has approved expansion franchises in Brooklyn, Milwaukee, Reno, Santa Barbara, Jacksonville, Oklahoma City, and Iowa. The league also announced plans to establish the first promotion and relegation system in American sports.
About Matt Valentine
Matt Valentine is a corporate executive and entrepreneur based in the greater Dallas area who has built a career in energy infrastructure and private equity. He founded Rimrock Midstream, LLC and has held leadership roles with Millbrook Equity Partners and Orion Infrastructure Capital. As chairman of Atlético Dallas, Valentine directs both business and sporting operations, including plans for a new stadium complex and youth development pathway. He also serves on the board of clothing brand BuddyLove.