Tony Pignata
Encyclopedia
Tony Pignata is an Australian businessman who resigned on 3 June 2010 from his post as Chief Executive of Wellington Phoenix FC
who play in the Australian A League. Tony Pignata was Chief Executive of Wellington Phoenix Football Club since the clubs inception in 2007. Under Tony’s leadership the Phoenix has made massive strides, having restored the credibility and reputation of football in NZ. His tireless efforts saw the team go within one game of the 2009/10 grand final, a monumental achievement. Tony has worked hard and has been busy overseeing the club’s success in building strong relationships and has been instrumental in building a club that is the pride of Wellington.
Pignata has been instrumental in creating a much higher profile for football in New Zealand. In his first year he brought out LA Galaxy with David Beckham and packed out Westpac Stadium before a then record Football crowd of 31,853."[3]. In 2009/10 he oversaw the Wellington Phoenix be the first team from NZ to make the playoffs and going within one game of making the 2009/10 Grand Final. Together he and Ricki Herbert assembled a strong squad that was a force in the 2009/10 season culminating in a home semi final win before a sellout crowd at Westpac Stadium against Newcastle Jets.
He had been weighing up a move home for several months but had wanted to achieve three major milestones before leaving – re-sign Sony as major sponsors, see the club get a five-year licence extension, and complete the Boca Juniors match deal.
"I've achieved all of that and I'm leaving football here on a high, so I can go back to Melbourne and look back fondly on the three years. It's been an absolute privilege to play a part in forming and growing a club." "[4].
Always open and up front with the media, Pignata is well respected by the fans. He was awarded personality of the year at last week's Yellow Fever awards, ahead of the likes of Ricki Herbert and Paul Ifill.
Prior to this Pignata was also Chief Executive of Football Federation Victoria
and prior to that spent 18 years in investment banking.
(Caulfield) in 1987. He has a Bachelor's degree in Banking & Finance.
Wellington Phoenix FC
Wellington Phoenix Football Club is a professional association football club based in Wellington, New Zealand. The club competes in the Football Federation of Australia A-League. Ricki Herbert has been the coach since the club's inception to the A-League in July 2007. The current club captain is...
who play in the Australian A League. Tony Pignata was Chief Executive of Wellington Phoenix Football Club since the clubs inception in 2007. Under Tony’s leadership the Phoenix has made massive strides, having restored the credibility and reputation of football in NZ. His tireless efforts saw the team go within one game of the 2009/10 grand final, a monumental achievement. Tony has worked hard and has been busy overseeing the club’s success in building strong relationships and has been instrumental in building a club that is the pride of Wellington.
Pignata has been instrumental in creating a much higher profile for football in New Zealand. In his first year he brought out LA Galaxy with David Beckham and packed out Westpac Stadium before a then record Football crowd of 31,853."[3]. In 2009/10 he oversaw the Wellington Phoenix be the first team from NZ to make the playoffs and going within one game of making the 2009/10 Grand Final. Together he and Ricki Herbert assembled a strong squad that was a force in the 2009/10 season culminating in a home semi final win before a sellout crowd at Westpac Stadium against Newcastle Jets.
He had been weighing up a move home for several months but had wanted to achieve three major milestones before leaving – re-sign Sony as major sponsors, see the club get a five-year licence extension, and complete the Boca Juniors match deal.
"I've achieved all of that and I'm leaving football here on a high, so I can go back to Melbourne and look back fondly on the three years. It's been an absolute privilege to play a part in forming and growing a club." "[4].
Always open and up front with the media, Pignata is well respected by the fans. He was awarded personality of the year at last week's Yellow Fever awards, ahead of the likes of Ricki Herbert and Paul Ifill.
Prior to this Pignata was also Chief Executive of Football Federation Victoria
Football Federation Victoria
Football Federation Victoria is the state governing body for football in Victoria, Australia. It is affiliated with Football Federation Australia, the sport's national governing body....
and prior to that spent 18 years in investment banking.
Education
Pignata's secondary education was at Salesian College in Chadstone and then graduated from Monash UniversityMonash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
(Caulfield) in 1987. He has a Bachelor's degree in Banking & Finance.