Florida Panthers Hire Former Amazon, Disney Exec as Business President

Michael White brings 25 years of tech and guest experience expertise to lead the team's business operations.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 11:03am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fractured elements of a hockey arena and business operations, using the Panthers' team colors of red, blue, and gold to represent the team's forward-looking approach under new leadership.The Panthers' new business president brings a tech-savvy, consumer-focused approach to modernizing the team's operations and facilities.Sunrise Today

The Florida Panthers have announced the hiring of Michael White, a former executive at Amazon and Disney, as their new business operations president. White will oversee all business aspects of the team's four facilities, including Amerant Bank Arena where the Panthers play their home games. The Panthers cited White's proven record in consumer experience, partnership growth, and product development as key factors in his hiring.

Why it matters

The Panthers' business operations leadership is crucial as the team faces key decisions about the development of the property surrounding their arena, which they must propose plans for by 2028. White's background in technology, guest experience, and launching new strategies at major companies like Amazon and Disney could help the Panthers navigate these important business decisions.

The details

White most recently served as Chief Product Officer at Amazon's autonomous vehicle company, Zoox, where he helped develop an autonomous robotaxi. Prior to that, he held several senior leadership roles at The Walt Disney Company, including playing a key part in the execution of the NBA's restart in the Disney bubble during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Panthers cited White's ability to launch new strategies and his 'invaluable capabilities of organizational leadership and visionary innovation' as key reasons for his hiring.

  • White was hired as the Panthers' new business operations president on March 31, 2026.
  • The Panthers have until the fall of 2028 to propose development plans to Broward County officials for the property surrounding Amerant Bank Arena.

The players

Michael White

The new business operations president for the Florida Panthers, with over 25 years of experience working in the technology and guest experience industries, including roles at Amazon and Disney.

Bill Zito

The Florida Panthers' hockey operations president, who was instrumental in the team winning Stanley Cup titles in 2024 and 2025.

Michael Viola

A member of the Florida Panthers' ownership family.

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What they’re saying

“We clicked automatically. Our first meeting was supposed to be 30 minutes, went an hour and a half and we probably could have talked another two hours. And we just stayed in touch throughout the process. I would say that we're off to a really great start together and he was one of the primary reasons I came over here. He's one of one, a legend, but also somebody that you want to partner with.”

— Michael White, New Business Operations President, Florida Panthers

“After a diligent and comprehensive search, we are confident that Michael is the right fit to lead our organization into continued success. 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 Viola, Part of the Florida Panthers' Ownership Family

What’s next

The Panthers have until the fall of 2028 to propose development plans to Broward County officials for the property surrounding Amerant Bank Arena.

The takeaway

The hiring of Michael White, with his extensive background in technology, guest experience, and launching new strategies at major companies, signals the Panthers' commitment to innovating and evolving their business operations as they face key decisions about the future of their arena and surrounding property.