From Amazon Robotaxis to Stanley Cup Glory: Panthers Just Hired a Silicon Valley Powerhouse

The Florida Panthers just brought in a heavyweight executive who spent 25 years building the future of tech and guest experience, and honestly, the move makes total sense. Michael White, who most recently served as chief product officer at Amazon's autonomous vehicle company Zoox, is now the Panthers' new business operations president. This isn't some random corporate hire. White is coming in specifically to work alongside Bill Zito, the hockey operations architect who built the Panthers teams that won Stanley Cup titles in 2024 and 2025. That's the real story here.

When Zito Called from Italy, White Knew He Had to Join

Here's how it happened: Zito reached out a few weeks ago from Italy, where he was helping lead the U.S. men's hockey team to gold at the Milan Cortina Olympics. That call was the moment White realized the Panthers were the place for him. "We clicked automatically," White said about their first meeting. "It was supposed to be 30 minutes, went an hour and a half and we probably could have talked another two hours." They haven't stopped talking since. White was explicit about his motivation: "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."

Why the Panthers Wanted a Tech Guy Running Business

White's resume is loaded with winning organizations. He's worked for Disney in senior leadership roles, even helping execute the NBA bubble restart on the Disney campus near Orlando during the COVID-19 pandemic. At Amazon's Zoox division, he was developing autonomous robotaxi technology and launching complex strategies. The Panthers ownership saw something special in those credentials. Michael Viola, part of the Panthers' ownership family, said the search was thorough: "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."

White now oversees all business aspects of the Panthers' four facilities: Amerant Bank Arena, Baptist Health IcePlex, Panthers IceDen, and War Memorial Auditorium. One major project is already on his plate: the team has until fall 2028 to propose development plans to Broward County officials for property surrounding Amerant Bank Arena. "The organization is world-class," White said. "I just met 300 of the front-office folks and everyone literally introduced themselves. The culture just permeates through."

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.