Samuel Mark (born Markelevich; September 22, 1896 – August 9, 1980) was an American soccer club owner.
Mark's continued to own the team after it relocated and became the New York Yankees and then New Bedford Whalers.
[1][2] His father, Mandel, changed the family surname to Mark in 1916 because of difficulties in spelling and pronouncing it.
He was not originally a soccer fan but was aware of the large crowds that Fall River Rovers attracted.
Because the stadium was just over the Massachusetts border, the club was able to get round the state's Blue Laws and play on a Sunday.
In 1924 they also won the first ASL / Challenge Cup double and were subsequently the American soccer champions three times in succession.
Mark decided to sell the Boston club but unable to find a buyer, he was forced to dissolve the team after just 4 games of the Spring 1930 season.
[12][13] The demise of the New Bedford Whalers coincided with the collapse of the original American Soccer League.