Allegiant Stadium’s GM Chris Wright and Asst. GM Greg Desharnais will step down after the Super Bowl, leaving a legacy of success and the #1 stadium ranking.
In a surprising turn of events, Allegiant Stadium, the renowned home of the Las Vegas Raiders, is set to witness a major shakeup in its leadership following the upcoming Super Bowl. Stadium General Manager Chris Wright and Assistant General Manager Greg Desharnais have officially confirmed their resignation, marking the end of an era in stadium management.
The departure of these key executives is scheduled for February 15, as communicated by Wright and Desharnais to the Review-Journal on Wednesday night. While the reasons behind their resignation remain undisclosed, both executives expressed their gratitude and fondness for the stadium, its team, and the Raiders organization.
Wright, when approached about his future career plans, maintained a level of secrecy, stating that he would refrain from discussing his next move until after the Super Bowl on February 11, which will unfold at Allegiant Stadium. In an email, he extended his appreciation to Raiders owner Mark Davis and team president Sandra Douglass Morgan, acknowledging the friendships built over the years.
“I love working with Sandra, Mark, and the Raider staff. Many have been friends for many years. I’ll miss the amazing team that actually makes the stadium run every day and brought us the #1 stadium in the world recognition last year,” said Wright.
Both Wright and Desharnais have an extensive history with stadium management, previously working for AEG Facilities, where they played integral roles in overseeing the operations of the Oakland Coliseum and Oracle Arena. Their journey continued as they followed the Raiders to Las Vegas, taking charge of managing the state-of-the-art Allegiant Stadium.
A pivotal moment in the stadium’s history occurred in June 2019 when AEG inked a long-term deal to manage Allegiant Stadium. Subsequently, AEG and SMG merged in August 2019 to form ASM Global. Last year witnessed another shift as ASM Global was acquired by Legends, a prominent premium experiences company.
Expressing his sentiments, Desharnais, through a text message, emphasized his love for the stadium and its staff. “I absolutely love the stadium and the staff and am so proud of the work we did to make Allegiant Stadium what it is. I’ll always be grateful to the Raiders organization for the opportunity to come to Las Vegas and open the building,” said Desharnais.
As Allegiant Stadium bids farewell to these key figures, the legacy of their contributions, the recognition as the #1 stadium globally, and the memories created under their stewardship will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the iconic venue.
