Front Office

Riley is responsible for the growth and development of KG (US) Oilers Corp. and the Bakersfield Condors, the organization he has guided since it’s inception in 1998. Riley was previously the vice chairman for the ECHL Board of Governors Executive Committee, and also served on various other league committees.

He was instrumental in negotiations in the January 2014 purchase of the Condors by the Edmonton Oilers and the team’s elevation to the American Hockey League (AHL) in 2015-16 garnering their highest average attendance in over five seasons.

Now in the AHL, Riley was the driving force behind the organization’s grandiose plans for the Three-Way Chevrolet Condorstown Winterfest presented by Mission Bank held Dec. 21, 2016 – Jan. 7, 2017 outdoors at Bakersfield College’s Memorial Stadium.

Another direct initiative during the AHL tenure was the adoption of the Junior Condors name for Bakersfield’s existing youth hockey program. The Condors bought and donated all jerseys in the program’s first year and will establish scholarship funding through the team’s Condors Community Foundation.

Riley was the second 2-time winner of the ECHL Executive of the Year (2006-07, 2013-14) Award and was runner-up on several occasions. He captured the WCHL Executive of the Year during his second season in 1999-2000, and the Condors won ten WCHL awards in five seasons under his leadership.

The Condors won 15 ECHL front office awards in their ten ECHL seasons, including the 2014 ECHL Award of Excellence in Marketing. The Condors have raised over $5 million for charitable organizations in Kern County during the last 18+ years.

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.

Riley is very active Bakersfield’s youth hockey and baseball programs. He and his wife, Teri, reside in Bakersfield with their son, Landon.

Favorite Condors of All-Time:  Paul Rosebush, Sean Venedam

Favorite Condors Moment:  Mikella McAuley Jersey Auction

Most Inspirational Athlete:  Jackie Robinson

Most Inspirational Coaches: John Wooden, Vince Lombardi

Most Admired Leader: Abraham Lincoln

Favorite Movies: Field of Dreams, Caddyshack, Miracle, The Sandlot, The Blind Side

Favorite Bands:  Beatles, AC/DC, KISS

Favorite Book: They Don’t Play Hockey in Heaven by Ken Baker

Favorite Quotes: “You may be disappointed if you don’t reach your goals, but you’re doomed if you never try.”

“Do the right things long enough, consistently, and success will follow.”
“Individual commitment to a group effort; that is what makes a team or company work.”
“You cannot hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening your own.”

Matthew Riley can be contacted at mattr@bakersfieldcondors.com