Steve Govett resigned Friday as general manager of the Philadelphia Wings, so that he can assume a similar role with the recently-relocated team in Washington.

Govett, named Executive Vice President and General Manager of the unnamed Washington franchise which recently moved from Pittsburgh, will have a hand in all of the team's operations. With the Wings, his responsibilities were limited to the on-field product.

"Our goal is to emulate the success of the Wings," Govett said, "from the success of the on-field product to the box office, to the media relations and [public relations], to sponsorships. The Wings are a first class operation, [and] our goal is to achieve that level."

Although offered the position earlier this summer, Govett declined due to the uncertainty surrounding the team's proposed sale and subsequent move.

"Since that time, Gary [Gait, the team's star player and leader of the new ownership group] has put together a solid relationship with Steve Comiskey and others to bring the team to the MCI Center. With the full support of the Washington Sports Group, the Capitals, and the Wizards, the new NLL team there would have a greater opportunity for success."

If being close friends with Gait helped lure Govett into considering the offer, the change in work conditions may have cemented the decision. His position in the Philadelphia organization was a part-time appointment, meaning Govett had to hold down a full-time job in addition to his role as Wings' general manager.

"[The] full time job had me commuting an hour and twenty minutes a day each way, and working sixty hours a week. I would focus on the Wings an additional twenty or so hours a week. The time was taking its toll on my family life and my ability to be a good husband and father. This allows me to focus my attention on one thing and do it right."

Invited to address Wings fans regarding his resignation, Govett said, "I want everyone to understand the Wings organization will not suffer; I will ensure a smooth transition. The draft went extremely well for the Wings and I expect them to be better than last season. In fact, I would love nothing more than to see Philadelphia and Washington in the final in a packed MCI Center. This would make me very proud, having helped to retool the Wings and to bring Washington to a great level of success.

"We need other success stories in this league. Philadelphia leads the league in everything, but they can't play themselves. I think what everyone wants is for this game to get national attention, [and] we only achieve that with successful existing teams. [Then] we can move west. I intend to help make this league successful.

"[Wings Co-owner and Executive Vice President] Mike French left me with this thought: 'The Wings will be successful whether you are here or not. We need a successful franchise in Washington, for the good of the league, and I feel much more comfortable if you are doing it.'

"Everyone should know I am not running away from the Wings, I am running to a brighter opportunity and hopefully [a] successful future for my family."

The Wings have not named a new general manger, but it is expected that French will assume that role while the team decides on Govett's successor.