ALBANY, NY – The Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League (NLL) today announced that effective December 1, 2022, Vice President of Corporate Sales and Business Operations, Chris Porreca, will be promoted to the position of Team President and will assume day-to-day operations. The move follows the FireWolves’ President George Manias’ recent decision to step down from his current role to pursue new career opportunities.
Manias helped to successfully launch the team in Albany, establish the FireWolves Foundation, develop strong partnerships, and has set a high bar for our in-game experiences. “Over the last eighteen months, George’s energy has helped anchor our position in Albany, on the lacrosse floor and in our community,” said Oliver Marti, Owner and CEO of the FireWolves. “We sincerely thank him for his time with the Pack and have no doubt George will continue to be successful in his future endeavors.”
“I am thankful to have had this opportunity to launch and develop another professional sports franchise in the Capital Region,” said Manias. “I wish the ownership group, coaches, players, and staff nothing but success moving forward.”
Porreca led the Lehigh Valley Phantoms of the American Hockey League for the past eight years. The Phantoms are a professional ice hockey team based in Allentown, Pennsylvania and serve as the primary development team for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League. While with the Phantoms, Porreca lead the business operations for the organization and helped bring the 2017 AHL All-Star event to Allentown. The Phantoms consistently ranked among the top in AHL attendance out of 32 teams, with nightly attendances averaging close to 8,000 and ranking in the top 10 in attendance per game the past seven years, all while Porreca led team operations and developed their success with a community-first approach.
“We are pleased to have Chris transition to the role of FireWolves Team President”, Marti said. “As the team looks to year number two in Albany, we know Chris will continue on our initial success.”
Porreca is no stranger to the Capital Region, nor to putting community first. In addition to working with the Adirondack Phantoms in Glenn Falls, he was the Director of Competition for the Special Olympics in Schenectady, which, under his direction, took athletes to the 2006 inaugural USA Games in Ames, Iowa and the 2007 World Games in Shanghai, China. Porreca also volunteered his time with Habitat for Humanity in Lehigh Valley for 6 years, serving as the Vice Chairman and Board Chair for the organization.
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to lead the FireWolves.” said Porreca. “I also want to thank George for bringing me on board and providing me with the opportunity here in Albany. I am excited to continue to build on the FireWolves’ successes and pack the house with the best lacrosse fans in the league.”
Season tickets for the 2022-23 Albany FireWolves season are also available now! Reserve your season tickets in the Wolves den today for just $25! For more information, visit www.AlbanyFireWolves.com or call/text the FireWolves front office at 518-362-4900.
About Albany FireWolves
The Albany FireWolves is the Capital Region’s very own Professional Box Lacrosse team, playing in the National Lacrosse League out of the MVP Arena in downtown Albany, NY. For more information, contact the Albany FireWolves Front Office at (518) 362-4900 or visit AlbanyFireWolves.com. Follow the team on Facebook at facebook.com/AlbFireWolves, Twitter @AlbFireWolves, and Instagram @AlbFireWolves.
About the National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is North America’s premier professional lacrosse league. Founded in 1986, the NLL ranks third in average attendance for pro indoor sports worldwide, behind only the NHL and NBA. The League is comprised of 15 franchises across the United States and Canada: Albany FireWolves, Buffalo Bandits, Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Georgia Swarm, Halifax Thunderbirds, Las Vegas Desert Dogs, New York Riptide, Panther City Lacrosse Club (TX), Philadelphia Wings, Rochester Knighthawks, San Diego Seals, Saskatchewan Rush, Toronto Rock, and Vancouver Warriors.
For more information, visit NLL.com and find @NLL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For more information visit NLL.com.
About ASM Global
ASM Global is the world’s leading venue management and services company. The company was formed by the combination of AEG Facilities and SMG, global leaders in venue and event strategy and management. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention, and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. From Aberdeen to Anchorage, and Sydney to Stockholm, its venues connect people through the unique power of live experiences. ASM Global’s diverse portfolio of clients benefit from the company’s depth of resources and unparalleled experience, expertise and creative problem solving. Each day, the company’s 61,000 passionate employees around the world deliver locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to deliver maximum results for venue owners and amazing experiences for guests. By consistently looking for new ways to envision, innovate and empower the spaces and places that bring people together, ASM Global elevates the human spirit while delivering the highest value for all stakeholders. For more information, please visit www.asmglobal.com.
About MVP Arena
MVP Arena is a full-service entertainment and sports facility featuring a wide variety of family shows, sporting events, trade shows and concerts. Owned by Albany County and managed by ASM Global, MVP Arena opened in 1990 and is home to the Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League, the Albany Empire of the National Arena League and the Division I Men’s College Basketball Siena Saints. For more information, please visit https://www.mvparena.com/.
