George Manias Named Chief Operating Officer of Albany Empire

Thursday September 27, 2018

 Manias Promoted from Vice President of Business Operations

ALBANY– The Albany Empire announce that former Vice President of Business Operations, George Manias, has been named Chief Operating Officer of the Albany Empire. Since the team’s inception in the fall of 2017, Manias has overseen day-to-day business operations of the Empire. The move was imminent as Empire President, John Adams, has taken on an active role with the League office as the President of the Arena Football League.

In his new role, Manias will continue to oversee the day-to-day business operations and will now also oversee football operations along with all aspects of running the Albany Empire organization. Manias will also take a larger role with the Empire’s parent company, Trifecta Sports & Entertainment, who also own the Philadelphia Soul.

“Less than a year ago when I accepted the position to come home to the Capital Region and launch this team, I knew great things where on the horizon. The staff and team we put together last season was just the start of ‘Building this Empire.’ I couldn’t be prouder of the accomplishments in our inaugural season, but now, my new role gives me the ability to fully lead this franchise and continue the rise of the Empire. We have unfinished business as we enter the 2019 season and are solidifying ourselves to be a part of this community for a long time to come,” said Manias.

Under Manias’ leadership, Albany was able to put together and execute a plan to launch an Arena Football franchise in just six months prior to the 2018 season. During his tenure, he and Adams assembled a football staff that led the league in wins and earned the top seed in the AFL playoffs in the team’s inaugural season. The team dominated all season long, leading the league with 12 players named to either First or Second Team All-Arena. The Empire racked up the regular season awards as the organization boasted the league’s: MVP, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Wide Receiver of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Linemen of the Year, Athletic Trainer of the Year and Equipment Manager of the Year.

“George was in large measure responsible for a very successful launch of the Albany Empire,” said Dan Nolan, local Albany Empire owner. “His commitment to the team and to the Capital Region, combined with his energy and experience, make him the perfect choice to be our COO.”

Off the field, Manias was responsible for hiring, training and developing a front office staff in quick fashion. The staff claimed the league’s best average attendance, the league’s best gameday fan experience and an organization that remains influential and active within the Capital Region community. For players, staff, partners, fans, and the region, Manias was an integral part in making Albany’s return to the AFL such a great success and one of the premier organization’s in the league. As the League looks to expand, Albany has set the bar for the level of success an expansion team can accomplish.

Albany Empire’s 2019 Season is presented by CDPHP.

About Albany Empire

Season memberships for the 2019 season are on sale now. For tickets, contact the Albany Empire sales department at (518) 533-2200 or by going to TheAlbanyEmpire.com. Follow the team on Facebook at facebook.com/TheAlbanyEmpire and Twitter at twitter.com/Albany_Empire.

About Arena Football League

The Arena Football League will enter its 32nd Season in 2019. Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased a fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. Teams slated for 2018 include: Albany, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C. CBS Sports Network nationally broadcasts AFL games each week, culminating with the ArenaBowl. The AFL launched AFLNow, the League’s streaming “Over-the-Top” network to give fans even more access to the League on arenafootball.com. For all the latest news and discussion on the Arena Football League follow the AFL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@aflarenaball)

About Times Union Center

Albany’s Times Union Center, formerly Pepsi Arena, continues to have great success. Renamed in January 2007, the Times Union Center is “Upstate New York’s Premier Sports and Entertainment Facility. Owned by Albany County and operated by SMG, the world’s largest private management firm for public assembly facilities, the Times Union Center has an adaptable seating capacity between 6,000 and 17,500. Since Frank Sinatra christened the building on January 30, 1990, more than seven million patrons have walked through the turnstiles. As a multi-purpose facility, the Times Union Center has hosted a variety of events, including concerts, family shows and sporting events, averaging 165 events each year.

About CDPHP®

Established in 1984, CDPHP is a physician-founded, member-focused and community-based not-for-profit health plan that offers high-quality affordable health insurance plans to members in 26 counties throughout New York. CDPHP is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram.

About Transfinder

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Schenectady, New York, Transfinder is a national leader in intelligent transportation systems, providing transportation management systems and services to school districts, municipalities and adult care facilities. Transfinder, an Inc. magazine “fastest-growing company” for the past eleven straight years, has offices in Austin, Texas, and Shanghai, China. The software company develops and supports routing and scheduling solutions for optimal transportation logistics. http://transfinder.com