Wranglers Name Vice President

Published on January 14, 2003 under ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


LAS VEGAS - Chandar Sports Chairman Charles Davenport and new business partner Jonathan Fleisig have named Billy Johnson Vice President of the Las Vegas Wranglers, which will open play at the brand new, state-of-the-art Orleans Arena as an expansion team in the East Coast Hockey League next fall.

Johnson, who arrives in Las Vegas after serving as Vice President and General Manager of the Nashua Pride in baseball's Atlantic League since 1997, will oversee all day-to-day business operations of the franchise. He was named the Atlantic League's Executive of the Year in 2000.

"After conducting an extensive search for an experienced and innovative candidate to head up our business operations with the Wranglers, I believe we have found the right man for the job in Billy Johnson," said Davenport. "Billy brings a wealth of creativity, enthusiasm and professionalism to the organization, and I feel he is ideally suited to help the Wranglers provide the type of high quality sports entertainment that the people of Las Vegas demand and deserve."

"With an experienced ownership group and a first-class facility in the Orleans Arena, the Wranglers are poised to create a new chapter in Las Vegas pro sports," said Johnson. "I'm grateful for - and look forward to - being a part of this very exciting future."

Johnson's career in sports began as he moved his way up through several marketing and public relations positions before taking over as the Louisville Redbirds' Director of Public and Media Relations in 1989. He also helped run baseball teams in Kinston, NC, and Chattanooga, TN, before being named the Pride's first General Manager in 1997. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in telecommunications and journalism, and will be joined in Las Vegas by his wife Shawna.

Davenport is also announcing that Chandar Sports has entered into a partnership with Jonathan Fleisig to jointly operate the Wranglers. Among other sports properties, Fleisig owns the West Coast Hockey League's Bakersfield Condors.

In addition to naming Johnson Vice President, Davenport and Fleisig have appointed Matthew Riley President of the Wranglers. Riley, also President and General Manager of the Condors, has led two previous franchises in the opening of a brand new facility. Riley will oversee the operation, setting up the structure of the Nevada franchise.

"I am very excited to be able to enter into this partnership with Mr. Fleisig. He has a proven track record as someone who has a great deal of knowledge about and passion for the professional sports business," commented Davenport regarding his new business partner. "Jonathan and I share a vision for a dynamic organization that will bring the world of sports entertainment to a new level in Las Vegas."

"I am thrilled to be involved with a great market such as Las Vegas, and I am excited to meet the challenge of making the Wranglers a first-class entertainment option," said Fleisig.

In addition to the Wranglers, Chandar Sports owns and operates the defending Taylor Cup Champion and two-time West Coast Hockey League Organization of the Year Fresno Falcons. The ownership of the two minor league hockey franchises marks the initial steps in the company's plan to acquire and cultivate diverse holdings in the areas of sports and entertainment.

Fleisig is a native of New York City and is primarily occupied as a member of the New York Mercantile Exchange specializing in trading energy derivatives. In addition to his interests in the Wranglers and Condors, he also owns the Berkshire Black Bears baseball club of the Northern League.

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