Building a Winning Team

Matt Riley is responsible for the growth and development of KG (US) Oilers Corp. and the Bakersfield Condors, the organization he has guided for all 21 years of the team’s existence. Riley was previously the vice chairman for the ECHL Board of Governors Executive Committee, and also served on various other league committees.

Riley joined the organization late in 1997, when they were named the Bakersfield Fog, to execute the transition from the Bakersfield Convention Center to Bakersfield Centennial Garden (now known as Rabobank Arena). He took charge of the Condors in July of 1998, and in his first season at the helm, the Condors were named the West Coast Hockey League Organization of the Year. In 2001, his title was expanded to include President. During the summer of 2002, Riley was named the Acting Commissioner of the West Coast Hockey League, and he played a large role in the transition to the ECHL as well as closing down WCHL operations.

The Keokuk, Iowa, native previously served as the Executive Director of the Mobile (AL) BayBears Baseball Club, the class-AA Southern League affiliate of the San Diego Padres, and was integral in the construction of Hank Aaron Stadium, their home park. During their inaugural season in 1997, the BayBears led the Southern League in attendance. He also served as General Manager with the Mobile BaySharks Baseball Club, Assistant General Manager of the Chattanooga (TN) Lookouts (Southern League) and interned for the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Club. Riley is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University with a degree in communications. He earned a master’s degree in sport management from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama.