Minnesota Wild Time Line page10

Sperling to lead new team as It prepares for the opening of the Year 2000 Season

[December 23, 1997] -- Jac K. Sperling, one of the architects of the proposal which landed NHL Hockey back in Minnesota, has been named as organization's new Chief Executive Officer. Sperling will also be a minority investor and member of the board of the general partner, Naegele Sports, LLC.

In announcing the appointment, Chairman of Naegele Sports, LLC, Robert Naegele, Jr., said the decision was an easy one for the new organization.

"We are so pleased to have Jac Sperling as a member of our organization," said Robert Naegele, Jr. "He has the type of experience, credibility and integrity that we need to ensure the successful launch of Minnesota Hockey NHL, as well as its continuing success for years to come.

Sperling has had extensive experience in working with both professional sports teams and public entities in the planning, design, construction, finance and operation of new sports facilities, and the acquisition and relocation of teams. As a partner in the Denver office of the prominent Washington D.C.-based law firm of Hogan and Hartson, Sperling has helped the firm develop one of the leading professional sports practices in the country. Sperling will retain his association with the law firm.

Since the decision by the NHL Board of Governor's to award Minnesota a new franchise, Sperling has run the day-to-day operations of the Minnesota Hockey NHL organization, and has overseen the successful implementation of a season ticket reservation program that has resulted in nearly 10,000 season ticket reservations from Minnesota Hockey NHL fans.

Sperling is married to Mary Griesedieck, and they have two children; a son, Jay, 14 years old, and, a daughter, Teale, 11 years old. He graduated from the University of Virginia, both from the College of Arts and Sciences (B.A. with Distinction, 1971) and the School of Law (1975).

Sperling looks forward to his new position with the Minnesota Hockey NHL organization with a sense of commitment and adventure.

"I've been thrilled to work with so many great people here in Minnesota," said Sperling. "The entire organization, the investor group, Mayor Norm Coleman, the City of Saint Paul, the Civic Center Authority and our potential corporate and media partners are truly dedicated to the hockey fans of Minnesota and making this team a success. Bob and I are excited about building this franchise into a winning organization and putting a quality hockey product on the ice in a new, state-of-the-art arena in Saint Paul for the beginning of the hockey season in the Year 2000 and for many years to come."