Veteran Sports Executive to Lead Strategic Growth, League Operations, and Franchise Development
ORLANDO, FL — The newly formed American Box Lacrosse League (ABLL) today announced the appointment of League Co-Founder, George Manias as President & Chief Operating Officer, as the league prepares for the launch of the first United States-based professional indoor/box lacrosse developmental league.
As President & COO, Manias will oversee all league operations, strategic growth initiatives, franchise development, commercial partnerships, and business operations of the league and local markets, while helping establish the ABLL as the premier developmental pathway for American-born box lacrosse players, coaches, and executives.
“The opportunity to build something that can truly impact the future of American lacrosse is incredibly exciting,” said George Manias, President & COO of the American Box Lacrosse League. “The ABLL was created to provide a clear pathway for players and coaches to develop within the indoor game while strengthening the overall lacrosse landscape in the United States. Our vision is to create opportunities, grow the game at every level, and build a sustainable professional league that serves as the foundation for the next generation of box lacrosse talent.”
Manias brings more than 25 years of executive leadership experience across multiple professional sports leagues. In addition to his role with the ABLL, he serves as Co-Owner & Chief Operating Officer of the Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League and is the Founder & President of GemCo Sports & Entertainment (GSE), a boutique sports marketing and management firm specializing in the launch, operation, and growth of professional sports teams, leagues, and venues.
Prior to founding GSE, Manias served as President & CEO of the Orlando Valkyries of the Pro Volleyball Federation, leading the organization to a league championship in just its second season. His executive career also includes serving as President & COO of the Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League and President & COO of the Arena Football League Champion Albany Empire, along with leadership positions across multiple professional hockey organizations in the ECHL, Central Hockey League, and United Hockey League.
Manias began his journey in sports building a successful career in ticket sales, corporate partnerships, and business operations with several major professional sports organizations, including the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, where he was part of the organization during its back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers.
His sports consulting experience includes leadership roles with Legends Global Sales, the premium sales and consulting company backed by the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys, and Front Row Marketing Services, where he helped establish two of the industry’s leading revenue-generation and venue consulting organizations.
Additional announcements regarding league ownership, leadership, franchise markets, coaches, player recruitment, and the 2027 Barnstorming Tour Showcase will be released in the coming months.
About the American Box Lacrosse League
The American Box Lacrosse League (ABLL) is a United States-based professional indoor/box lacrosse developmental league created to provide players and coaches with opportunities to develop their skills and pursue advancement within the sport.
Founded by sports industry professionals George Manias and Steve Donner, and developed by experienced sports-business advisory groups, the ABLL was established to accelerate the growth of professional box lacrosse in the United States through player development, market expansion, and long-term league sustainability, beginning in January 2027.
For media inquiries, partnership opportunities, player information or additional information about the American Box Lacrosse League:
American Box Lacrosse League
Email: Info@TheAbll.com
Phone#: 866-708-LAXX (5299)
Website: www.TheAmericanBoxLacrosseLeague.com
Facebook: Facebook.com/OfficialABLL
Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube: @OfficialABLL
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