Albany President Manias steps down, FireWolves promote Porreca to lead front-office role
Albany FireWolves
After an offseason that saw virtually the team’s entire offense either lost through free agency or dealt via rebuild-mode trades, today the Albany FireWolves announced another significant move, this time to their front office.
President George Manias has stepped down from his role with the franchise and has been replaced by Vice President of Corporate Sales & Business Operations Chris Porreca.
The move was made official a mere month before the FireWolves play their first game of the upcoming 2022/23 National Lacrosse League regular season.
In the team’s announcement today, FireWolves Owner & CEO Oliver Marti said, “Over the last eighteen months, George’s energy has helped anchor our position in Albany, on the lacrosse floor and in our community.
“We sincerely thank him for his time with the Pack and have no doubt George will continue to be successful in his future endeavours. We are pleased to have Chris transition to the role of FireWolves Team President. As the team looks to year number two in Albany, we know Chris will continue on our initial success.”
Marti told the Times Union, “I didn't want George to leave but he said, 'Look, I've been getting different calls and different things. I'm an Albany FireWolf. I’m not going to do those kind of things and not focus on what we're doing,'
“I said, 'George, anything I can do? And he said, 'I don’t want to be trying to entertain other people that are coming to me.' I just know that I respect that."
A statement from Manias was also included in the Times Union report, the former front-office leader saying, “It is with mixed emotions that I am announcing my resignation from the Albany FireWolves.
“I have enjoyed my time with the organization, however, have decided to pursue other opportunities that better align for my long-term career aspirations. I appreciate the opportunity the FireWolves ownership group provided me and wish them, the front office staff, players, coaches, and fans nothing but the best moving forward.”
Prior to joining the FireWolves franchise, Manias was the President & Chief Operating Officer of the Albany Empire of the Arena Football League (now National Arena League), and before that worked in sponsorship roles with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Penguins.
Manias will remain with the FireWolves until December 1, two days before their season opener.
Last year, the franchise’s first in Albany after relocating from Uncasville, Connecticut, the FireWolves qualified for the playoffs during the league’s last weekend of the regular season. The club was knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by Buffalo.
The FireWolves ranked tenth in league attendance in 2022, NLL.com confirming their game-day average at 5,523 fans per home date.
Albany’s top point producers from a season ago are no longer with the team – Joe Resetarits & Ryan Benesch lost through free agency, Andrew Kew, Reilly O’Connor and Jacob Ruest traded for various prospects & picks. The team later traded top transitional talent Tony Malcom to the Panther City Lacrosse Club too.