SAN JOSE, California, Dec. 5, 2022 -- Javier Ortiz has been named Team Vice-President of the Bay Area Panthers (@PanthersIFL), the Indoor Football League (@IndoorFL) team owned by entrepreneur Roy Choi and former All-Pro NFL running back Marshawn Lynch.

With Ortiz's hiring and the recent hire of former San Jose Sabercats Hall of Fame Arena Football Coach Darren Arbet, the team is building a championship front office for the 2023 season and beyond. Ortiz will report directly to Team Owner, Roy Choi who is leading the announcement. "Javier is a seasoned professional with over 26 years in key management and leadership roles for organizations like Thomson Reuters and Lincoln Broadcasting-KTSF TV," said Choi. "Javier is a community champion and he is the right leader for our team, having represented some of the biggest media networks and sports properties. He also has a deep understanding of how to connect with all audiences which is important in such a dynamic and diverse market like the Bay Area. We're happy to welcome Javier to the Bay Area Panthers family."

With deep roots in the Bay Area and over 26 years of experience in sports, media and entertainment, Ortiz is launching a new 2023 team strategy as the team enters its second season. Ortiz will be responsible for overseeing all facets of the team's front office including ticket sales, sponsorships, broadcast partnerships, social media, digital marketing, e-commerce, community relations and the overall business strategy of the team. A former 3-year letterman running back and kick-off returner at San Jose State University in the mid-90's, Ortiz has been a recognized leader in the sports and business industry. After graduating, Ortiz has given back to the school as a member of the Order of Sparta Hall of Fame Committee and spent time volunteering to speak to various graduate and undergraduate Sports and Media classes. Ortiz was also a past keynote speaker for the SJSU School of Journalism and Mass Communications graduation.

In the business world, Ortiz was named General Manager of the Year in the United States by Radio Ink magazine while leading the operations for Univision television, radio, digital and events in Las Vegas, Nevada. While there, he helped elevate all platforms, grow revenue to record levels, was the #1 ranked affiliate in overall performance and also partnered with a local agency to develop the best local Hispanic World Cup Promotion in the United States for McDonald's Corporate. Ortiz has also been a sales leader for various TV stations and affiliated networks in all size markets such as KTVU-Fox, KNTV, KICU, KTSF, WPLG-ABC, NBC, CBS, CW and Cox Media Cable. Ortiz also served as the Director of Sports Marketing for the University of Miami Hurricanes radio network winning the 2001 College Football National Championship. Ortiz represented other sports properties and media assets for the NFL's Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins…MLB's San Francisco Giants, Florida Marlins…NHL's Florida Panthers…and NCAA Football with Host Communications, San Jose State, Florida State and the University of Miami Hurricanes.

Ortiz said, "I am excited and honored for the opportunity to lead our new-look Bay Area Panthers going into our second season. Professional indoor football for the Bay Area fans is truly magical. I was a student-athlete when the San Jose arena was first built and the Sabercats were launched as San Jose's football team. I immediately fell in love with the game and the passionate Bay Area pro indoor football fan base. We supported the Sabercats for over 15 years with packed arenas every game, and the Bay Area Panthers are going to tap into that passion once again. I had former teammates that played on those championship teams for Coach Arbet and I look forward to working with Scott, Roy, JP, Coach Arbet, and the other coaches, players and our entire staff to bring the IFL Championship to the Bay Area. And I also look forward to building deep, new business and community relationships throughout the Bay Area and the United States, as well as through our new digital networks."

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Bay Area Panthers Media contact: David Lewis (925) 980-6159