Meriwest CU Becomes Presenting Sponsor of Bay Area Panthers
The indoor football team begins its inaugural season in March after a two-year delay due to COVID.
After forming in 2020 and having its inaugural season pushed back by two years due to the pandemic, the Bay Area Panthers, an Indoor Football League team in San Jose, Calif., is finally ready to play – and a local credit union will be by its side as presenting sponsor.
The $2 billion, San Jose-based Meriwest Credit Union announced Wednesday it had signed a multi-year deal to become the Panthers’ presenting sponsor, starting with the team’s 2022 season kickoff game on March 21 against the San Diego Strike Force at San Jose’s SAP Center arena. The Walnut Creek, Calif.-based PIVOT, a full-service marketing and sponsorship agency, was hired to broker the sponsorship agreement, Meriwest said.
Meriwest President/CEO Julie A. Kirsch stated, “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with the Bay Area Panthers and be part of bringing indoor football back to San Jose. The Panthers will provide a fun and entertaining experience to family, friends and neighbors. We are deeply proud to be part of an outstanding organization supporting and investing in our community.”
Panthers President Scott McKibben added, “We are thrilled to announce this landmark partnership with a local South Bay business as we embark on an historic journey to relaunch arena football in San Jose. Meriwest Credit Union’s unwavering commitment to exceptional experiences for its members, and as a philanthropic leader in the San Jose community, make them an ideal season presenting partner. We’re looking forward to a memorable inaugural season together as the Panthers rekindle a sport with a strong tradition in this community.”
The Panthers are co-owned by former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch and Roy Choi, co-founder of Knighted Ventures, an entertainment and gaming investment firm.