Armstrong was employed as general counsel for
George Argyros' California real estate business when the latter purchased the Mariners from the team's original ownership group, led by entertainer
Danny Kaye, in 1981. Argyros immediately brought Armstrong to Seattle to serve as the team's president. During 1987 and 1988, Argyros was attempting to purchase the
San Diego Padres and sell the Mariners to several possible out-of-state investors, one of whom intended to move the team to
Miami. Armstrong attempted to organize a group of Seattle-based investors with the intention of keeping the team in Seattle; however, citing a conflict of interest, Argyros instructed him to "back away" from his efforts. The Mariners were eventually sold to Indiana businessman
Jeff Smulyan in 1989, and Armstrong was let go. Armstrong worked for several Seattle companies as a consultant from 1989 to 1992, and served as interim
athletic director for the
University of Washington Huskies, during 1991. In 1991, after Smulyan had put the team up for sale and rumors persisted that they would relocate to the
Tampa Bay area, Armstrong was recruited by then-
U.S. Senator Slade Gorton to aid in efforts keep the Mariners in Seattle. The sale was approved in June 1992. Armstrong was brought back to serve as the team's president in 1993, with Ellis serving as
CEO and representing the team's ownership group, a role filled by former
Nintendo of America executive
Howard Lincoln since Ellis' retirement in 2000. On November 25, 2013, Armstrong announced that he would retire from his position as president and COO of the Mariners. January 31, 2014, was his last day as the Mariners' president. ==Personal life==