Fiesta Bowl names former Phoenix Coyotes CEO Mike Nealy as executive director

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Fiesta Bowl has hired former Phoenix Coyotes CEO Mike Nealy as it executive director.

Her replaces Robert Shelton, who resigned in January after spending 2 1/2 years trying to rebuild the bowl game in the wake of scandal. Shelton took over after John Junker resigned for taking part in an illegal campaign contribution scheme that ended with an eight-month federal prison sentence for him.

Nealy spent eight years as the Coyotes' president and CEO, leading the franchise during a difficult four-year stretch without an owner.

He also worked as an executive with the Minnesota Wild for four years prior to joining the Coyotes.