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Florida Panthers Name Michael White as New Business Leader

The Florida Panthers have elevated Michael White to steer the organization’s business operations, entrusting him with overseeing all four of their venues:

• Amerant Bank Arena
• Baptist Health IcePlex
• Panthers IceDen
• War Memorial Auditorium

White brings a diverse background to the role, most recently serving as a leader in Amazon’s Zoox, where he directed product strategy and daily execution for the self-driving car unit. His tenure at Disney further solidified his expertise, with eleven years spent in senior positions across parks, media, and retail.

The new appointment follows the departure of the Panthers’ previous president, who left for a high-profile role with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, prompting a thorough search for a successor. General Manager Bill Zito, who also leads hockey operations, played an instrumental role in White’s hiring.

White shared the story of receiving an early-morning call from Zito while the GM was in Italy with the U.S. Olympic team—a moment that underscored the organization’s collaborative and welcoming culture.

Zito himself praised White’s intellect and character, welcoming him as a trusted “battle buddy.” The two leaders have expressed enthusiasm for collaborating to elevate the Panthers’ brand and deepen community engagement.

For White, the Panthers represent a “world-class organization”, particularly after their back-to-back championships, and he sees his blend of tech and entertainment experience as a catalyst for growth, on and off the ice.

With this hire, the Panthers signal their commitment to merging innovative business strategies with a strong hockey identity.