We have an ownership change in the USL, where former Wilmington Hammerheads FC majority owner George Altirs is now majority owner in the Harrisburg City Islanders ownership.
Altirs and his team will oversee the technical side of the club, including player and staff selections, transfers, and outside, non-local partnerships for the Harrisburg City Islanders ownership. In addition, through his experience running youth and professional clubs, Altirs will support the front office and day-to-day decisions of the professional soccer organization.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to bring our experienced staff and proven standards to the Harrisburg City Islanders and its fan base,” Altirs said in a press statement. “With our philosophy, resources and work ethic, I am confident that we will assist in bringing a new era of professional soccer to Harrisburg as we embrace our Division II club status.”
Though his ownership of Capelli Sport, Altirs has plenty of experience in the international soccer world. In six years of operation, Capelli Sport has become the official outfitter for a number of sporting organizations including, but not limited to, Wilmington Hammerheads FC, Ocean City Nor’Easters, Atlanta Silverbacks, United States Soccer Development Academy member club, Cedar Stars Academy, St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, NJ., the Lebanese National Team, Wuerzburger FC and MSV Duisburg of Germany’s Bundesliga. Besides outfitting MSV Duisburg, Capelli Sports has a 15 percent stake in the club.
Altirs joins the Harrisburg City Islanders ownership alongside Eric Pettis, Bryan Gobin, and Brian Bolinger. Pettis is also the president of Pennsylvania Pension Planners, Inc. and Comprehensive Financial Associates, while Bolinger serves as treasurer of Susquehanna Capital Corp, an investor of the Harrisburg City Islanders.
“On behalf of my partners, we are thrilled to add George Altirs to our ownership group. George is an influential and powerful figure in soccer worldwide who has earned the respect of officials of the USL, USSF, and beyond,” Pettis said in a press statement. “The resources and business acumen that George brings to the club allow us to stay in Harrisburg and build an international developmental base that is unique and exciting. Given the growth of the league and our advancement to the second Division in the USSF, it was imperative to partner with someone of George’s stature and integrity and spectators will see immediate improvements on and off the field. We had a number of attractive offers, but joining forces with George Altirs was the best decision.”
“Joining this specific ownership team is a tremendous honor,” Altirs said. “We will ensure our opportunities and channels are focused on brining the City Islanders to the top of the USL to provide a great product for our incredible fans.”
Images courtesy Youth Sports Photo, Inc.