Mike Lafferty

Chief Operating Officer

PH: 414-908-6349

Being named chief operating officer of the Milwaukee Wave in May 2004 was the culmination of Mike Lafferty’s lifelong soccer journey. He grew up in soccer-mad São Paolo, Brazil, became a high school star in Cinnaminson, N.J., and received a scholarship to Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., where his coach, Len Bilous, went on to coach in the inaugural professional indoor soccer game in the first Major Indoor Soccer League in 1978. After several years in the airline industry, Lafferty was office services manager for the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1987. The following year, he began a 16-year stint with Midwest Airlines before joining the Wave. Since joining the Wave, Lafferty has overseen annual double-digit revenue growth; a 100 percent increase in sponsorship partners; foundation of the Making Waves educational initiative; game-day additions such as the Fun Zone and corporate suites; and a partnership with Time Warner Cable that has brought Wave games and a coach’s show to television viewers throughout Wisconsin In addition to his duties with the Wave organization, Mike has also served as board president of Easter Seals Southeastern Wisconsin and is currently on the board of the Milwaukee Kickers, one of Wisconsin’s foremost soccer clubs. Mike and his wife Linda have four children, Samantha, Michael, Alexandria and Nicolette, and reside in Muskego.