Martie Cordaro Named Royals General Manager
During the 2007 season, the Omaha Royals saw attendance grow to a five year record high. Average attendance was 4,803, drawing 326,627 fans during 68 home games. Cordaro orchestrated an agreement with Werner Enterprises to be the Omaha Royals' season title sponsor, the first in the club's history. In addition, the organization recorded its highest total revenue since 2002.
"Last year was an excellent year and I see nothing but growth and success under Martie's leadership for the years to come," Stein said. Stein also complimented last year's management team, saying they had laid a solid foundation on which to build future success.
"We worked hard in 2007 to reach goals in corporate sponsorship sales, attendance and community outreach," Cordaro said. "For the first time in the club's history we had a season title sponsor. Our attendance figures were the largest in five years and we contributed well over a quarter of a million dollars to the community. Today, we have a management team in place to build on those significant successes."
Cordaro listed several goals he has for the 2008 season include increased attendance, expanded community involvement and new promotions to attract a greater variety of fans.
The Omaha Royals is a strong contributor to many charities and community organizations. Events such as the 2007 Hurl the Pearl promotion benefiting the Ronald McDonald House, the Strike Out ALS event and the MS Awareness night when the Royals wore special orange game jerseys that were later auctioned off to benefit multiple sclerosis, contributed to a total value of cash and in-kind donations of $320,000. In addition to the many charities the team worked with this past year, area youth were also the beneficiaries of the Royals' outreach commitment through the "Hit the Books" and "Outstanding Student" programs. More than 50,000 tickets were donated to kids in the metro area through the Omaha Public Library summer reading program and the United Way.
Cordaro came to Omaha from Battle Creek, Michigan where he spent the 2005 and 2006 seasons as the general manager for the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays, also owned by Ivy Walls Management Company.
Cordaro also introduced his new management team. Kyle Fisher has been named Vice President of Baseball Operations. Fisher is starting his eighth year with the Royals. Eric Leach will join the Royals as Assistant General Manager in charge of Group Sales. Leach is a native of Nebraska and a graduate of Millard North High School. Leach has spent 10 seasons working in professional sports, most recently with the Lexington Legends.
In addition, Rob Crain will be the club's new Director of Marketing. Crain transferred to Omaha in September of 2006 from another franchise team owned by Ivy Walls to work in the Royals' Marketing Department. And Jeff Gogerty has been named Director of Ticket Operations. 2008 will mark Gogerty's eleventh season with the Royals having started with the team in 1998 as a bat boy.
The 2008 season opens at home on April 3rd against Albuquerque. 2008 season tickets are now on sale. Visit www.oroyals.com or call 402-738-5100.
About Ivy Walls Management: Ivy Walls Management is a Lexington, Kentucky- based organization that manages minor league baseball teams, including the Omaha Royals. Ivy Walls distinguishes itself through its commitment to community and customer service providing a clean, safe, value- and family-oriented environment for professional baseball.