Former Parent Company CEO and Clorox C-Suite Executive Troy Datcher Leading Oakland Bid to Land Bay Area Panthers
OAKLAND, Calif. (August 17, 2023) – Former Parent Company CEO and Clorox C-Suite Executive Troy Datcher will lead Oakland’s bid to land the 2023 Indoor Football League Champion Bay Area Panthers, PIVOT Agency CEO and Founder Ben Shapiro announced today.
Datcher is the Chair of the Gold Flora Corporation. Previously, he served as the CEO of The Parent Company, one of California’s leading retail and consumer focused brand companies. Datcher joined The Parent Company from The Clorox Company, where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer responsible for the Company's worldwide sales organization. During his tenure, Datcher deployed global sales plans for over $6.7 billion in annual revenue across The Clorox Company's vast portfolio of brands.
He is also a dedicated member of the East Bay community, serving on the Board of The Clorox Company Foundation and as Chair of the East Oakland Youth Development Center Foundation. In 2021 he was named to Modern Sale’s Top 100 Global Sales Leader list and is a two time Ebony Magazine Power 100 honoree (2015 and 2020). Troy was also recognized by Savoy Magazine as one of the top 100 Black Executives three consecutive years.
The Panthers, who won the Indoor Football League (IFL) Championship on Saturday in Las Vegas, are aiming to find a long-term home starting in 2024. The RFP process includes:
- Oakland
- Sacramento
- San Jose
- Stockton
Each market features an Executive Community Board to help rally support from the local business community. Datcher is building out the remainder of his Board for Oakland in the coming weeks as the RFP process continues. Individuals with an interest in joining one of the local Boards should contact panthersrfp@pivot-agency.com.
The Panthers were initially slated to play in Oakland when owners Marshawn Lynch and Roy Choi announced their plans for an Indoor Football League (IFL) expansion team in 2019. However, following the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the pandemic and the subsequent withdrawal from the 2021 season, the Panthers changed venues to the SAP Center for their 2022 and 2023 seasons.
Troy Datcher, Oakland Executive Community Board Chair: “First, congratulations to Roy Choi, Marshawn Lynch and the entire Bay Area Panthers organization for their championship run. This is an elite organization, and a team that Oakland would love to have. As a long-time East Bay resident, I’m thrilled to lead the effort to bring the Panthers home. We have the facilities, the fan base, and now I’m prepared to show that we have the support of the business community. Oakland is the right place for this team.”
Ben Shapiro, PIVOT Agency Founder & CEO: “I can’t think of a better person to lead the bid for Oakland. Troy is a well-respected leader and among the most connected individuals in the East Bay business community. I’ve known him for a long time now and he’s exactly the kind of person that Oakland needs. This is a city that has, unfortunately, seen many of its professional sports teams leave, but Troy is a big believer in Oakland and he’s hoping to right buck that trend with this bid. I have full faith that he’ll put forward a strong effort.”
Roy Choi, Bay Area Panthers Owner: “We are excited to have Troy leading the Oakland bid. He has been an important figure in the Oakland community for years. Troy understands this market and has a well-rounded background that we believe will resonate well with both the fan base and the business community. I look forward to seeing the bid that Troy and his team put forth.”
Marshawn Lynch, Bay Area Panthers Owner: “Oakland is home, and I’d love to see the Panthers play here. Seeing this team win the championship over the weekend was something special, and it would mean even more to see them win while representing the city I love.”
For media inquiries, please contact frank@pivot-agency.com.
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