WNBA Tulsa Hires Experienced Sports Veteran as President
Steve Swetoha
Tulsa’s new franchise has named Steve Swetoha as president. Swetoha has spent his entire career with sports franchises, including the Charlotte Sting of the , a franchise whose front office and business operations he constructed in five months.
He also spent time with the Charlotte Bobcats and Orlando Magic of the , the Jacksonville Jaguars of the and the Pittsburgh Penguins of the . Most recently, Swetoha was executive director of the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission and executive director of the local organizing committee for the Football Championship.
Tulsa Pro Hoops, chairman Bill Cameron said Swetoha is a perfect fit for the team. “Steve is exactly the type of person we were looking for to lead the business side of this franchise,” Cameron says. “He’s an experienced and innovative person who has a proven track record at every stop in his career. Steve will be a great fit in Tulsa. Along with Coach Nolan Richardson, they will build a championship team both on and off the court. This is an awesome hire.”
Chris Granger, senior vice president of team marketing & business operations, believes Swetoha’s experience with the Sting and Bobcats will be very beneficial for the Tulsa franchise.
“Steve is an absolute professional,” Granger says. “He has a great feel for the sports industry, and I fully expect him to be successful in his new position.”
Swetoha has held leadership roles in ticket sales, sponsorships, marketing, budget and business operations. While with Bobcats Basketball, , Swetoha constructed the Charlotte Sting’s front office in less than five months. In his last three years with the Bobcats, Swetoha nearly doubled the team’s revenue and increased new season ticket sales by 37 percent.
“I’m thrilled to become the newest member of this team,” Swetoha says. “Something truly special is happening in Tulsa, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Swetoha, a native of Pittsburgh, begins in Tulsa on Jan. 18. He received his bachelor’s degree from Robert Morris University and his master’s degree from Duquesne University, both in Pittsburgh.
Fans looking to obtain ticket information can call (877) 90-HOOPS (46677), visit the Tulsa Web site at www.wnba.com/tulsa or send an email to tickets@wnbatulsa.com.
Updated 01-12-2010
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