Secaucus, NJ (Wednesday, January 12, 2000) - Nick Sakiewicz, the 1999 MLS "Executive of the Year" with the Tampa Bay Mutiny, has been appointed as Vice President and General Manager of the MetroStars, it was announced today by team Investor-Operator Stuart Subotnick. Charlie Stillitano, the Vice President and General Manager since 1995, is moving to MetroMedia to oversee the role of the stadium development company and the formation of a second owner-operated team by Stuart Subotnick.

"Nick is a tremendously talented individual who has the hard-nosed mentality needed to make the MetroStars the model organization in Major League Soccer," MetroStars Investor-Operator Stuart Subotnick said. "He has a proven track record and was instrumental in making the Tampa Bay Mutiny one of the league's best-run operations on and off the field. His combination of marketing knowledge and soccer experience make him the best possible person in the country for this position."

Sakiewicz (suh - kev - ich), a native of Passiac, New Jersey, joins the MetroStars after four years as President and General Manager of the Tampa Bay Mutiny. Prior to the Mutiny, Sakiewicz, served as Vice President, Corporate Sales for MLS during its development period and the inaugural '96 season. Before joining MLS on the corporate level, he spent 11 successful years in management and sales with such prominent companies as Agency Sevices, Inc, in Atlanta and the Providian Bancorp in San Francisco.

"I'm excited and honored to take over the MetroStars. As a native of this area I feel a tremendous amount of responsibility to make the MetroStars the best organization in the MLS," said Nick Sakiewicz. "There is a lot of work to be done and we will get started immediately."

A graduate and goalkeeper at the University of New Haven, Sakiewicz will oversee all MetroStars soccer operations and marketing efforts. He officially begins his duties on Monday, January 24.

Bio
Nick Sakiewicz (suh - kev - ich)
Vice President & General Manager

Nick Sakiewicz is the second General Manager and Vice President in the history of the MetroStars soccer team. He will oversee the MetroStars soccer operations and marketing departments as the MetroStars and Major League Soccer enter their fifth year of existence.

Prior to joining the MetroStars, Nick Sakiewicz served as President and General Manager of the Tampa Bay Mutiny since October of 1996. He led the Mutiny on a steady path of growth in both season ticket and sponsorship sales, and was instrumental in helping the Mutiny secure the lease with Raymond James Stadium for the 1999 MLS season. That lease helped keep the Mutiny in Tampa Bay and enable the club to play in one of the best outdoor stadiums in the United States.

Sakiewicz's strong marketings skills brought South Florida soccer fans great entertainment options with concerts such as the Village People, 10,000 Maniacs, Neville Brothers, Sister Hazel and the Goo Goo Dolls. He made these concerts part of the experience in attending a Mutiny home game.

A native of Passaic, New Jersey, Sakiewicz began his involvement with Major League Soccer after 11 years of successful experience in management and sales, including his most recent endeavor as Vice President, Corporate Sales for MLS. During the development period of MLS and its inaugural '96 season, Sakiewicz helped develop long-term corporate sponsorships with many of the companies that sponsor the league.

Sakiewicz brings extensive knowledge and commitment to the sport of soccer. He played the game at both the collegiate and professional levels. He also coached collegiately and in the U.S. Olympic Development Program. Sakiewicz engineered deals for three current Mutiny players to help secure a long-term futures with the Mutiny: forward Alan Prampin and Swedish international defender Jan Eriksson.

Sakiewicz began his professional career as a Sales Manager for TIF Instruments in Miami in 1985. He developed and initiated a national sales campaign, which resulted in rapid sales and national distribution of the company's products to the automotive industry.

In 1990, Sakiewicz served as Divisional Manager for Agency Services, Inc., in Atlanta, then moved to Tampa and was promoted to Director of Sales for Agency Services, Southern region. While in Tampa, Sakiewicz became the first manager to achieve $100 million in sales in a single division.

In 1992, Sakiewicz was promoted to Vice President, Sales & Marketing for Agency Services and moved to its national headquarters in Baltimore. Sakiewicz supervised a national sales and marketing organization responsible for $350 million in annual sales. While building strong customer relationships, Sakiewicz grew revenues and expanded Agency Services distribution of insurance products nationally.

In 1995, Sakiewicz was recruited by Providian Bancorp in San Francisco. Serving as a Director, and then promoted to Vice President, he built an organization to support the company's first initiative into co-branded and affinity credit cards.

Sakiewicz's soccer career began at the University of New Haven, where he played four years as a goalkeeper, earning all-New England plaudits in 1980-82 and NCAA Division II all-American honors in 1981 and '82. He was recruited to New Haven and coached by Dr. Joe Machnik, current Vice President of Game Operations of MLS.

After graduating from the University of New Haven, Sakiewicz played with F.C. Nantes in the French First Division in 1982. He then played for Dr. Machnik with the New York Arrows of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) in 1983 and F.C. Belenenses of the Portuguese First Division a year later. Sakiewicz played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in 1990.

In addition, Sakiewicz served as an assistant coach and goalkeeper coach at the College of Boca Raton in 1987. He served as a goalkeeper coach for the Southeast Region in the Olympic Development Program from 1985-89 and also served the Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) as a goalkeeper coach from 1985-89.

Courtesy MetroStars