MATT MAJKA PROMOTED TO SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (MSE), the parent company of the Minnesota Wild hockey team announced today that Doug Risebrough has been named President and General Manager. In a related move, MSE also announced that Matt Majka (pronounced MAY-kuh) has been promoted to the newly appointed position of Senior Vice President of Business Operations. These moves coincide with the departure of Tod Leiweke, who accepted the role of Chief Executive Officer with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League.

In his new role, Risebrough will continue to oversee the hockey operations department including all matters relating to the club’s player personnel, coaching staff, scouting department, and minor league personnel. His new responsibilities will involve the direction of all business aspects surrounding MSE, including the Minnesota Wild, its minor league affiliate the Houston Aeros, Wildside Caterers, 317 on Rice Park and the facility management of Xcel Energy Center, Touchstone Energy Place and Roy Wilkins Auditorium.

Majka had previously held the position of Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Sponsorships for the Minnesota Wild. In his new position he will oversee the day-to-day business functions for MSE from a marketing perspective and a financial standpoint. Majka will work closely with Risebrough on all business matters related to MSE.



“Bob Naegele and I know that Doug is a great leader,” MSE Chief Executive Officer Jac Sperling said. “Promoting Doug is the right thing to do as we further unite the hockey side of the operation with the business side. Doug is a winner and will be a winner in his new position.”

“Strong leadership is already firmly in place for this organization and I hope to continue to build on the foundation,” Risebrough said. “We will look to combine the Minnesota Wild hockey philosophy with the solid business decisions made throughout the company.”

“I am looking forward to working with Doug and the rest of the organization,” Majka said. “We will continue to shape MSE into one of the premier sports and entertainment providers in the country.”

Risebrough was named the club’s first-ever Executive Vice President/General Manager on September 2, 1999. Risebrough, 49 (1/29/54), won four consecutive Stanley Cup championships as a player with the Montreal Canadiens from 1976 to 1979. He also appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals twice with the Calgary Flames. In 1986, the Flames, captained by Risebrough, lost in the Stanley Cup Finals to the Canadiens. In 1989, Risebrough served as an assistant coach on the Flames’ only Stanley Cup championship team. He has participated in the Stanley Cup playoffs 25 of the 29 years he has been in the NHL as a player, coach and executive. The 2003-2004 campaign will mark Risebrough’s 30th season in the National Hockey League (NHL) and fifth with the Wild. He and his wife, Marilyn, have two daughters, Lindsay and Allison. The family resides in Edina, Minnesota.

Majka, 42 (10/21/60), came to the Minnesota Wild in October of 1997. His responsibilities have included overseeing corporate sponsorships, sales and marketing of the suite and St. Paul Club levels, brand development and presentation, community relations, merchandising and the 10,000 Rinks Foundation. Matt came to the Wild from Rollerblade, Inc., where he worked from 1984 to 1997 and held numerous positions though his 13-year tenure. The Detroit, Michigan native has lived in the Twin Cities for over thirty years. Matt, his wife Kymberly, and their sons, Sam and Nick reside in Wayzata, Minnesota.

Both Risebrough and Majka will assume their new roles with MSE immediately.


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