Baum Comes Out Of Retirement To Head Warriors
January 23, 2004 - National Indoor Football League (NIFL)
Utah Warriors News Release
Local sports marketing executive Larry Baum has been named General Manager of the Utah Warriors of the National Indoor Football League. Baum has agreed to come out of retirement from the Utah Jazz to accept the position. The announcement was made today by team President Doug Tate at the team offices at the E Center.
Baum, a 31-year veteran of Salt Lake City sports marketing and advertising sales management, will oversee all aspects of team operation during the Warriors second season in the NIFL. He most recently served as Vice President of Sales for the Utah Jazz, a position he held for 18 years before retiring in June of 2000. During his tenure with the Jazz, Baum also held the position of Sales Manager of Salt Lake City's KJZZ-TV. Baum was previously national and local sales manager at KTVX television station for 13 years.
He has created Sports Sponsorship Departments for the Utah Jazz, Golden Eagles Hockey, the University of Utah and the WNBA Utah Starzz.
According to Team President Doug Tate, "Larry was a natural fit for our organization. His experience in sports marketing and his contacts throughout the community will be invaluable to us."
Baum's first priority with the Warriors will be creating corporate partnerships within the community. "Indoor football is an exciting game and Utah fans have really embraced it. Building on the Warriors' success last season, we're expecting our team to again be in the hunt for the NIFL championship. This will be an exciting year for our fans and our corporate partners."
The Utah franchise posted a 12-3 record during their inaugural 2002 season, losing 45-37 to the Ohio Valley Greyhounds in the league's title game. The Warriors drew a league-leading average of 6,500 fans in their seven home games last year and attendance figures are expected to increase this season.
"The fans were great last year," said Warriors head coach Lee Leslie. "Our team was exciting to watch and our local players really did well+ against some tough competition." Warrior players with local ties include Omar Bacon, running back from the University of Utah who holds the NCAA record for most all-purpose yards in a single game and many other All-Star players for the U. of U., BYU, Utah State and Southern Utah State University.
Baum is a graduate of BYU with degrees in Advertising, Business Management and Public Relations. He and his wife Suellen have five children and reside in Lehi.
The NIFL season begins in March and the league championship game will be played in late July.
Warriors' season tickets are now on sale and may be purchased by calling the Warriors offices at 973-7311. Prices range from $92 to $250 for the complete season. Family and group ticket packages are being offered at reduced rates.
• Discuss this story on the National Indoor Football League message board...
National Indoor Football League Stories from January 23, 2004
- Beef Sign UN-O Beef - Omaha Beef
- Baum Comes Out Of Retirement To Head Warriors - Utah Warriors
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
