Florida Panthers welcome Michael White to lead business operations and guide the organization’s next phase of growth

Sunrise, Florida – The Florida Panthers have announced a significant leadership addition as the organization looks ahead to its next chapter. The South Florida hockey franchise confirmed that Michael White has been appointed President of Business Operations, placing him in charge of the club’s business strategy and operations across several major facilities connected to the team.

White will oversee all business aspects of the venues operated by the Panthers organization. These include Amerant Bank Arena, Baptist Health IcePlex, Panthers IceDen, and War Memorial Auditorium. Together, these facilities serve as hubs for professional hockey, community programs, training operations, and large-scale entertainment events across the region.

The appointment marks a new step for the organization as it continues to grow both on and off the ice. Team leadership believes White’s background in technology, digital strategy, and consumer experience will help strengthen the Panthers’ relationship with fans while expanding the team’s business operations.

“We are thrilled to welcome Michael White to our Panthers family. After a diligent and comprehensive search, we are confident that Michael is the right fit to lead our organization into continued success,” said Panthers Owner Michael Viola. “He brings to our club a proven record in consumer experience, partnership growth and product development for some of the world’s most successful companies and invaluable capabilities of organizational leadership and visionary innovation. Michael will play a key role in our next phase of growth as we work to deliver memorable experiences for sports and entertainment fans.”

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White arrives in South Florida after serving as Chief Product Officer at Zoox, an autonomous vehicle company owned by Amazon. In that role, he helped shape the consumer-facing strategy behind the company’s autonomous transportation services. His work included leading efforts in business development, live operations, and the go-to-market strategy for what the company describes as the world’s first purpose-built robotaxi.

At Zoox, White played a key role in building an AI-powered customer experience platform designed to manage the entire user journey—from ride booking to operational delivery. He also helped coordinate commercial partnerships and launch plans across major markets where the autonomous service is expected to expand.

While the technology sector represents a major chapter of his career, White is perhaps best known for his long tenure with The Walt Disney Company. Over 11 years with the entertainment giant, he held several senior leadership positions spanning multiple divisions, including theme parks, media operations, retail, and consumer products.

During his time at Disney, White worked on large-scale digital strategies designed to connect physical entertainment experiences with emerging technologies. He helped develop digital platforms that supported millions of users across various Disney brands and services.

His work also touched the world of sports broadcasting and streaming. White contributed to projects tied to ESPN+ and other ESPN digital products, helping expand the network’s direct-to-consumer strategy. His leadership also supported platforms related to fantasy sports and other digital engagement tools that became increasingly important to modern sports audiences.

One of White’s most visible contributions during his Disney career came through the company’s theme park innovation efforts. As Senior Vice President of the Disney Parks Experience, he helped introduce technologies designed to improve how guests interact with parks and attractions. Among these were digital systems such as MagicBand+ and Genie+, both designed to streamline the visitor experience through connected devices and mobile tools.

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White also played a role in a unique collaboration between Disney and professional sports. When the National Basketball Association resumed its season during the global pandemic in 2020, games were held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex within Walt Disney World. White helped support the digital platforms and technology infrastructure connected to that historic restart of the league’s season and playoffs.

Earlier in his career at Disney, White contributed to broader digital modernization projects across the company’s consumer businesses. His work included initiatives involving streaming media, mobile applications, gaming platforms, e-commerce systems, and connected consumer products tied to globally recognized brands such as Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. He also helped lead improvements to the digital experience associated with the Disney Store’s online and in-person retail platforms.

Before joining Disney, White spent more than a decade working at Yahoo!, where he held several senior leadership roles focused on technology and digital consumer services.

With such a diverse background across technology, media, and entertainment, the Panthers organization believes White is uniquely positioned to help shape the team’s evolving business strategy.

For White, the opportunity represents both a professional challenge and a personal commitment to the South Florida community.

“From the moment I met the Viola family, it was instantly clear to me how much the Florida Panthers mean to them and how important this organization is to the South Florida community. My family and I are beyond excited to join a world-class group that values success not only by its championships on the ice, but its impact off it as well,” said White. “I am thrilled to bring my experience combining exceptional hospitality and cutting-edge technology to serve Florida Panthers fans at Amerant Bank Arena and all entities of our organization.”

As the Panthers continue to build momentum both competitively and commercially, White’s appointment signals a strong focus on innovation, fan engagement, and long-term growth. With several major venues under the organization’s umbrella and a rapidly evolving sports entertainment landscape, the role will place him at the center of efforts to shape the future of the Panthers brand throughout South Florida and beyond.