on february 13, 2017, jeffrey m. longo was hired as the general manager. later in the 2016–17 season, longo and local entrepreneur chuck norris purchased the fireantz from the seven-person ownership group, cape fear pro hockey. at the end of the season, the new owners changed the name of the fireantz to the fayetteville marksmen. the change reflects the city of fayetteville's relationship with the local united states army post, fort bragg, as well as the native carolina red fox.