Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Billy Johnson, Las Vegas Wranglers team president, exits after 11 years

Wranglers vs. Condors

Stephen Sylvanie / Special to the Sun

Former Las Vegas Wranglers goaltender Marc Magliarditi, left, his son and Wranglers General Manager Billy Johnson after being presented a plaque in recognition of his induction into the ECHL Hall of Fame in January 2013.

Updated Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2014 | 3 p.m.

The Kats Report Podcast

Wranglers update

John Katsilometes and Tricia McCrone talk to Billy Johnson for an update on the Las Vegas Wrangler's search for a new home.

Click to enlarge photo

Las Vegas Wranglers President Billy Johnson stands with a cutout of Formula One ace Fernando Alonso and the guy who carries him around.

Wranglers vs. Aces

Wranglers forward Adam Huxley, right, vents his frustration against Alaska Aces defenseman James Martin during a stoppage in play on Friday night. Launch slideshow »

About a year ago, Billy Johnson announced that the Las Vegas Wranglers were leaving Orleans Arena.

Today, Johnson said that he has left the Wranglers.

Johnson, the team’s president since its inception in 2003, said today in a phone conversation that he informed team owner Gary Jacobs on Saturday that he was leaving the team. Johnson gave no timeline and offered to stay with the franchise in its search for a new president.

Johnson said he plans to stay in Las Vegas in a new position in a different organization, which will not be directly related to management of a sports team.

Jacobs continues to pursue a home for his team, which had announced an agreement with the Plaza to play its home games in a facility on that property beginning this year. That deal unraveled in February, as the team said it would not be feasible to build a reinforced facility at the hotel.

Jacobs today praised Johnson’s marketing savvy and tenure with the franchise.

“I thank Billy for his years of service and building a brand that has become incredibly powerful in the Las Vegas community,” Jacobs said in a phone conversation. “He has served this franchise very well.”

Jacobs said a new president would not be named until the team finds a new home.

“It would not make sense to put anyone on the payroll until we work out an arena deal, if that is possible,” Jacobs said. “We continue to reach out to parties who might be interested and those who have already shown interest in the team.”

Jacobs says the Wranglers need to have an arena agreement together by the ECHL’s winter meetings on Jan. 21. If a deal is not reached by then, he would need to decide whether to press forward with plans to remain in Las Vegas.

Johnson’s tenure as team president was marked with such enticing marketing promotions as Dick Cheney Hunting Vest Night, midnight games and a performance by lounge legend Tony Clifton.

The team’s average paid attendance over the course of its run at Orleans Arena was more than 4,000 per game.

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow “Kats With the Dish” at Twitter.com/KatsWiththeDish.

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