CJ O’Brien is the co-owner of the Chicago Union, a professional ultimate frisbee team competing in the Ultimate Frisbee Association. A lifelong athlete with roots in football, CJ discovered ultimate frisbee while attending the University of Illinois, where he became a standout player and competed at the national level. After college, he entered the consulting world but remained closely tied to the sport, ultimately transitioning from player to part-owner of the Chicago franchise.
Since 2016, CJ has been instrumental in transforming the Union from a niche club team into a growing professional sports organization. He has worn nearly every hat—player, marketer, operations manager, and community builder—investing both time and resources into the long-term vision of the sport. Under his leadership, the team has focused on grassroots fan engagement, youth programming, and creating a family-friendly, hyper-local game day experience. CJ also works full-time in consulting, leveraging his skills in project management and strategic communication to support the Union’s growth.
A passionate advocate for emerging sports and community-based entertainment, CJ is committed to expanding the visibility of ultimate frisbee while building a sustainable and inclusive model for professional sports. He lives in the Chicago area with his family and continues to champion the values of accessibility, participation, and purpose-driven growth in sports.
