A Minnesota Vikings executive is hired by the Golden Knights to serve as their new business operations president.

Vegas Golden Knights Appoint Former Vikings Executive John Penhollow as President of Business Operations

On June 17, 2025, the Vegas Golden Knights announced the hiring of John Penhollow as the new President of Business Operations for the Golden Knights and the broader Foley Entertainment Group. Penhollow’s appointment marks a significant leadership change in the organization’s front office, reflecting the club’s commitment to further professionalize and expand its commercial footprint.

In his new capacity, Penhollow will oversee all business operations across multiple entities, including the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, the IFL’s Vegas Knight Hawks, City National Arena, America First Center, and Lee’s Family Forum. This comprehensive role entrusts him with guest experience, venue management, corporate partnerships, and strategic revenue initiatives.

Penhollow joins the Golden Knights after a distinguished 12-season tenure with the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings, where he most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. During his time in Minnesota, he directed ticket sales, corporate partnerships, and overarching revenue strategy for U.S. Bank Stadium and the team itself.

Among Penhollow’s notable achievements with the Vikings was orchestrating revenue growth tied to U.S. Bank Stadium—opened in 2016—and playing an instrumental role in hosting Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis in February 2018. His efforts helped the organization set new standards in fan engagement and corporate hospitality.

Prior to his Vikings tenure, Penhollow accrued experience in multiple professional sports. He served as Vice President of Corporate Sales and Service for the Cleveland Browns, as Director of Corporate Sales and Sponsorships for the New York Yankees, and held roles within the NBA’s front offices. This diverse background has equipped him with a broad perspective on revenue generation and partnership cultivation.

Upon his hiring, Penhollow expressed gratitude to owner Bill Foley and emphasized his commitment to preserving the franchise’s strong foundation. “We will honor the foundation that’s been built, continue to raise the bar on guest experience, identify new and innovative ways to evolve the business and position the organization as the gold standard across all of sports and entertainment,” he stated.

Vegas Golden Knights Chairman and Owner Bill Foley praised Penhollow’s appointment, highlighting his transformative leadership. “John’s vision and expertise will advance our business teams to new heights. His impressive record of success with revenue generation and growth aligns well with our core mission of ‘Always Advance, Never Retreat,’” Foley remarked.

With Penhollow’s arrival, long-time President and CEO Kerry Bubolz transitions to Chief Civic Affairs and Government Relations Officer—where he will focus on board leadership, strategic advisement, and fostering relationships with local and national stakeholders. This shift ensures continuity of institutional knowledge while positioning the organization for civic engagement and community outreach.

Under Bubolz’s leadership over the past eight-plus years, the Golden Knights received numerous accolades, including Sports Business Journal’s Team of the Year in 2018. Bubolz’s tenure helped establish the franchise’s reputation for innovation, community involvement, and rapid on-ice success—culminating in the team’s first Stanley Cup championship in 2023.

The organizational ethos of “Always Advance, Never Retreat” has been a guiding principle since the team’s inception. Penhollow emphasized that he plans to uphold this mantra by exploring emerging technologies, data-driven marketing strategies, and enhanced fan experiences both inside and outside the arena.

The Foley Entertainment Group umbrella encompasses not only the NHL club but also several affiliated sports and entertainment properties. Penhollow’s remit will include optimizing operations at City National Arena—home to practice sessions—and Lee’s Family Forum, a community event space, all aimed at creating unified brand experiences across Southern Nevada.

Since its launch in 2017, the Golden Knights have been lauded as the most successful expansion franchise in North American professional sports history, reaching the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season and capturing the championship in 2023. Penhollow steps into an organization that has quickly become a model for sustained excellence and fan engagement.

Fan reaction on social media has been overwhelmingly positive. The team’s official X account celebrated the hire, noting that Penhollow’s revenue acumen will drive further growth. Subscribers of the Golden Knights’ Facebook page likewise shared messages of optimism, anticipating enhanced game-day experiences and community outreach initiatives.

Looking ahead, Penhollow is expected to spearhead new corporate partnerships and expand sponsorship portfolios, leveraging the organization’s recent success to attract national brands. Market analysts project that the move will boost season ticket renewals and diversify revenue streams, setting the stage for the Golden Knights’ next phase of growth.

Conclusion
John Penhollow’s transition from the NFL’s Vikings to the NHL’s Golden Knights underscores the increasing convergence of best practices across major sports leagues. His proven track record in revenue generation and venue management positions the Golden Knights to build upon their on-ice triumphs with off-ice excellence. As the new President of Business Operations, Penhollow is poised to shape the future of sports entertainment in Las Vegas and beyond, ensuring the franchise remains a gold standard in both performance and guest experience.