The OSC Interview: Philadelphia Soul GM Rich Lisk
by Fran Stuchbury
Published on August 16, 2006 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Philadelphia Soul
OSC contributor Fran Stuchbury interviewed Philadelphia Soul General Manager Rich Lisk at the "Soul Summer Slam" beach party at Wildwood, New Jersey. He is entering his second season with the club.
Lisk previously held the position of President and General Manager for the Trenton Titans of the ECHL. With the Titans, he was directly responsible for the day-to-day operations of the team's front office and hockey operations. During his eight-year tenure with the Titans, Lisk also served as the team's Vice President of Marketing and Sales as well of the Assistant General Manager. Following the 2002 season, Lisk was named the ECHL Marketing Executive of the Year. Lisk worked with other sports teams: the Philadelphia Flyers and the Phantoms and also spent time with the WWE.
Fran Stuchbury: What interested you in taking a job with the Philadelphia Soul?
Rich Lisk: I was in minor league hockey for seven and a half years, and I worked in the Philadelphia marketplace about 10 years ago with the Phantoms and the Flyers. I figured it was time for me to take the next step to move up a level. The Soul came and we talked. It was a great opportunity and a great organization and it just fit.
FS: What types of marketing is the Soul trying to do to get fans to come to games?
RL: It took a year. I got here last year in October so it gave me a little while to understand how the Soul operates, we're going be much more customer friendly. Were going to start doing a lot of things for our season ticket holders. We did special things like where we took 40 season ticket holders on a bus to see the Soul play the New York Dragons. We took 40 bowling, we took 40 to the movies, we sent out 40 random gifts to season ticket holders.
You will notice our sales staff is starting to stand in front of the table. We say good-bye to everyone that leaves the game, thank you to everyone that leaves the game. We're going to revamp our whole game presentation this year
FS: Will the Soul market to areas outside Philadelphia?
RL: We've been marketing 20 miles from Philadelphia. You will see our marketing expand to about 40 miles from Philadelphia. We're going more into the suburbs. Were going be marketing more towards the affordable family fun - four tickets, four sodas, four hotdogs, four popcorns for $76. That's what it's going to be.
FS: Is Bon Jovi going to have a concert for fans as in previous years?
RL: I don't think so. I think we will be okay this season. We will stand on our own two feet. We're a football team, and that's what we are going be focusing on.
FS: Is the Soul going to look for a television partner or rely on what television deals the AFL gets?
RL: I want to see how the AFL goes first. That's our main concern. Once the AFL announces their television deals, we will then make our decision. If it makes sense for the Soul, we will go find a partner for ourselves.
FS: How did you like working with the WWE and Vince McMahon?
RL: You did do your homework. The WWE was great. I got there when I was 22 years old and they put me on the road, and I dealt directly with Vince McMahon my last year. I was there for six years. It was a good opportunity.
If you have any questions or comments about this interview feel free to drop me an email at arenazone@yahoo.com and I will be more than happy to get back to you.
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