KIRKLAND, WASH. – Seahawks Vice President Gary Wright will move to a new management position with Vulcan Sports & Entertainment and serve as Senior Vice President of Business Operations for the new Major League Soccer team, the team announced today. Wright will oversee all business operations for the club including ticket sales, corporate partnerships, community outreach, charities, fan experience and marketing of the team. 

“Gary Wright is our first-round draft pick,” said majority owner Joe Roth.  “Gary’s energy, enthusiasm and knowledge of the game inspires everyone he meets, who better to lead our charge.”

Wright served the Seahawks for 32 years, including the last 21 as a vice president.  Wright originally joined the Seahawks in 1976 as director of publicity. He was named public relations director in 1982 and added the title of vice president in 1987.

 “We want to have a club that is community oriented yet known through the country and the world,” said Vulcan Sports & Entertainment president Tod Leiweke.  “Gary is a proven leader who has great passion for the World’s game and will be fan focused.  I can’t think of anyone better to help us achieve our goals.”

Wright spent two seasons prior to joining the Seahawks as the publicity director for the Southern California Sun of the World Football League and as league publicity director.  Wright also served as vice president of operations for the Phoenix Racquets of World Team Tennis.

“Gary and I will work closely to build a team this community will be proud of on and off the pitch,” said minority owner and general manager Adrian Hanauer.

Wright was the sports information director at Long Beach State University and coached football and basketball while teaching history and journalism in high school after graduating from Long Beach State. He has instructed sports management classes at the University of Washington and Seattle University.

"Having an opportunity to experience soccer in Europe absolutely hooked me on the sport," said Wright.   "We already know there are great fans of the game here in Seattle and now our job is to bring the fans, the players, coaches, and entire organization together as one to replicate what is so passionate around the world."

He and his wife, Ann, have a family that includes their two grown sons, Larry and Steve; their wives Katy and Michelle; and five grandchildren, Owen, Fiona, Audrey, Stella and Maxwell.