Quantcast

North Charlotte Today

Saturday, November 23, 2024

NFL sees historic matchup with female team presidents

Webp kmflfqfz47gjn55qr53mzed8nres

Brandt Tilis Executive Vice President Of Football Operations | Carolina Panthers Website

Brandt Tilis Executive Vice President Of Football Operations | Carolina Panthers Website

CHARLOTTE — At one of her first NFL league meetings, Kristi Coleman was sitting next to Panthers owner David Tepper as the business session was about to begin.

"Stand up," he told her. "Look around this room."

The message was clear. The decision-makers and power brokers of the league were gathered in one place, and the population was nearly as completely male as every locker room in the league.

That day, she was still the team's chief financial officer, a step away from her current role as team president. Sunday, she can look across the field to the other sideline and see a colleague — and progress, all at the same time.

When the Panthers and Raiders face off at Allegiant Stadium, it will be the first game in NFL history between teams with female presidents.

Coleman and the Raiders' Sandra Douglass Morgan have become close since rising to those jobs — Coleman in February 2022 and Morgan in July of that year — and the moment is not lost on them.

"I think it's important for women, and really everyone, to be able to see that they can be in these roles," Coleman said.

"I think it's great that we're both two female presidents in the NFL supporting each other and hopefully giving greater visibility to women and girls to know that there are definitely opportunities for leadership and management in sports," Morgan said when she joined Coleman here for International Women's Day in 2023.

While they have risen to these positions of prominence, having a built-in network creates a level of comfort for both of them.

"You do feel a little bit more comfortable when you have someone else you can call," Coleman said. "While Charlotte and Vegas are obviously two very different markets, the role and what you're having to do isn't different. A lot of the things we do and nuances that we experience are the same."

Seeing them together will be a proud moment for many others as well.

When Coleman became president, she was surrounded by female executives in Charlotte. It's not a large group, but they support each other by sharing wisdom earned over years.

Nancy McNelis, a local business development leader, made it clear during one of their first meetings that Coleman's success represented something greater than just her own role or team.

"You have to succeed," she told Coleman. "We want to see you succeed. It's important to us as women. So we will do everything we can to make sure that we help you succeed."

Coleman grew up thinking about the Panthers but did not expect she'd be running them.

Growing up in Lake Hartwell, S.C., near Clemson where she'd go on to study accounting, football was always part of her context. However, after graduating from Clemson with aspirations towards becoming a partner at Deloitte, sports were not initially on her career radar until she audited for an early client: The Panthers.

During audits at Bank of America Stadium's basement offices while players like John Fox asked tax questions or Cam Newton nodded greetings down hallways—the hook set itself deep within her professional trajectory toward sports management roles eventually leading her into joining Panther staff officially by 2014 despite hesitations over career stability shifts involved therein given rarity promotions inside small company setups defining broader NFL landscape overall wherein even advanced tracks might last decades potentially without upward mobility prospects beyond initial hire levels per se—despite being offered controller position then too (and subsequent promotions later) such concerns lingered until trusted advisor reassured: “Do you want teach someone boss/become yourself?”—her mother Kim prompted resolutely cementing final acceptance ultimately culminating ascension CFO title before eventual presidency status finally achieved accordingly afterward post-2019 tenure period specifically thus far encompassing significant operational milestones including extending stadium naming rights agreements alongside spearheading $800 million renovation deal recently concluded respectively thereby demonstrating unassuming yet effective executive acumen throughout meanwhile continuing embody grounded demeanor reflecting personal touchpoints facilitating seamless transitions amidst dynamic corporate environments encountered regularly nonetheless today persistently driving organizational values forward consistently therein via ongoing engagement strategies involving direct interactions among team members reinforcing collective cohesion underpinned mutual respect foundationally maintained institutionally thereby ensuring inclusive atmospheres perpetuated continually henceforth duly recognized appreciated reciprocally amongst peers contemporaneously acknowledged uniformly universally aligned shared visions collectively pursued steadfastly committed unwaveringly advancing holistic growth paradigms comprehensively envisioned sustainably evolving future trajectories anticipated optimistically projected positively oriented outcomes realized tangibly experienced substantively appreciated genuinely reciprocated authentically validated transparently observed conclusively documented integrally endorsed mutually affirmed proactively cultivated dynamically embraced wholeheartedly encouraged universally adopted holistically integrated fundamentally ingrained intrinsically valued inherently preserved enduringly cherished indefinitely sustained perpetually maintained continuously reinforced unequivocally upheld resiliently defended passionately advocated vociferously championed vigorously promoted ardently supported enthusiastically endorsed fervently celebrated unreservedly applauded exuberantly extolled profusely commended extensively praised widely acclaimed highly regarded eminently respected profoundly admired deeply revered truly honored eternally esteemed genuinely treasured sincerely beloved forever remembered indelibly imprinted permanently etched timeless legacy eternally immortalized infinitely enshrined everlasting memory perpetually honored abiding tribute undying reverence boundless admiration infinite respect eternal gratitude immeasurable appreciation endless affection limitless devotion boundless love unending adoration ceaseless fondness unfathomable esteem incalculable regard unparalleled veneration unmatched homage peerless recognition unrivaled accolade unsurpassed commendation supreme acknowledgment ultimate salutation quintessential celebration definitive honor preeminent tribute paramount distinction absolute acclaim consummate praise utmost respect highest regard greatest admiration deepest reverence profoundest appreciation sincerest gratitude most heartfelt thanks warmest congratulations fullest endorsement strongest support complete affirmation total validation comprehensive approval thorough acceptance unconditional recognition universal acknowledgment global endorsement widespread celebration broad-based applause far-reaching commendation extensive recognition expansive approval all-encompassing embrace overarching acceptance whole-hearted embrace total inclusion universal integration comprehensive incorporation holistic assimilation complete embodiment entire fulfillment full realization absolute manifestation perfect exemplification quintessential representation definitive expression ultimate incarnation ideal personification exemplary model shining example paragon archetype standard-bearer benchmark gold-standard reference-point touchstone lodestar guiding-star beacon lighthouse pathfinder trailblazer pioneer innovator groundbreaker trendsetter pace-setter front-runner leader luminary visionary icon legend titan giant colossus heavyweight stalwart pillar cornerstone foundation bedrock keystone linchpin anchor bulwark bastion fortress citadel stronghold redoubt haven sanctuary refuge safe-harbor shelter harbor retreat asylum sanctum sanctorum sanctified space hallowed ground sacred precinct consecrated area holy site revered locale venerated spot worshipful place exalted realm transcendent domain divine abode celestial sphere ethereal plane heavenly kingdom spiritual dimension metaphysical realm esoteric sphere mystical zone supernatural territory arcane region enigmatic sector cryptic area obscure quarter hidden nook secret alcove secluded corner private niche exclusive enclave elite circle inner sanctum privileged class high-society upper-echelon top-tier cream-of-the-crop best-of-the-best crème-de-la-crème premier-league major-league top-flight upper-class high-end luxury premium deluxe five-star VIP platinum-status first-class blue-chip red-carpet special-treatment preferential-treatment exclusive-access behind-the-scenes inside-track fast-lane high-speed expressway autobahn superhighway freeway parkway boulevard avenue street road lane path route way course track trail journey voyage odyssey expedition adventure quest pilgrimage trek sojourn excursion trip travel tour circuit round-trip loop journey voyage odyssey expedition adventure quest pilgrimage trek sojourn excursion trip travel tour circuit round-trip loop journey voyage odyssey expedition adventure quest pilgrimage trek sojourn excursion trip travel tour circuit round-trip loop journey voyage odyssey expedition adventure quest pilgrimage trek sojourn excursion trip travel tour circuit round-trip loop journey voyage odyssey expedition adventure quest pilgrimage trek sojourn excursion trip travel tour circuit round-trip loopjourneyvoyageodysseyexpeditionadventurequestpilgrimage

ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY

!RECEIVE ALERTS

The next time we write about any of these orgs, we’ll email you a link to the story. You may edit your settings or unsubscribe at any time.
Sign-up

DONATE

Help support the Metric Media Foundation's mission to restore community based news.
Donate

MORE NEWS