Matthew Caldwell Leaves the Panthers to Lead the Timberwolves and Lynx
The president of business operations for the two-time Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, Matthew Caldwell, will leave his position to take on a 10-year contract as CEO of the Minnesota Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx. The announcement was made by the teams on Wednesday. Caldwell will begin overseeing the “day-to-day business operations and high-level strategic initiatives for the Timberwolves, Lynx and the Iowa Wolves of the G League” starting September 2nd. This is an important decision by the new owners of the Timberwolves and Lynx, Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez, who took full control of these franchises earlier this summer.Caldwell joined the Panthers in 2014 as chief operating officer before being promoted to chief executive officer in 2016.“I love the NHL. I’ve enjoyed hockey and I’m a big fan,” Caldwell said. “But the NBA is a much bigger and global platform. I really believe in Marc and Alex and their vision and what they are trying to do. They are trying to make Minnesota the best in class.”
Matthew Caldwell
Caldwell, who served in the Army, is a West Point graduate, received MBA and law degrees from Northwestern, and worked on Wall Street for Goldman Sachs, played an important role in many parts of the Panthers’ transformation in recent years, especially off the ice. In September, the Panthers extended their operating agreement with Broward County for five more years, ensuring that the team remains in the South Florida market until 2033 and likely much longer. The team is hosting an outdoor game at the Miami Marlins’ stadium for the first time this season, has a long waiting list for season tickets, and opened a new practice facility at the War Memorial in Fort Lauderdale two years ago. Caldwell said the change was a bit bittersweet, a sentiment that was echoed by Panthers owner Vincent Viola.“Our vision is for the Timberwolves and Lynx to set a new standard of excellence in professional sports, and we are confident that Matthew is the leader needed to make that a reality,” said Lore and Rodriguez in a joint statement. “Leading our organization into a new innovative era requires an exceptional person at the helm, and Matthew’s proven track record of leading the Florida Panthers’ business is undeniable. We can’t wait to see the remarkable impact his bold leadership will have on this organization.”
Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez
“There are very few opportunities I would advise him to pursue, but working with Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore on a global platform like the NBA is at the top of that list,” Viola said. “It is tremendously bittersweet for our family, but we recognize that this is an exceptional opportunity and a great next step in his career. Matt’s impact on our organization has been immeasurable and he leaves with our respect and gratitude.”
Vincent Viola
