Legendary NFL running back Marshawn Lynch has found a new way to stay busy in retirement.
It was recently announced that the future Hall of Famer has co-founded (with gaming and entertainment entrepreneur Roy Choi) the Oakland Panthers, a new franchise in the Indoor Football League (IFL).
The IFL, founded in 2008, is a professional indoor football league consisting of 12 teams throughout the country.
Several players have used the IFL as a stepping stone to reach higher levels of professional football, including former Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson.
Providing opportunities to aspiring professional football players is part of what attracted Lynch to his new ownership role with the Panthers.
“I was blessed with my time and journey making it to the league,” Lynch said (via a press release from the IFL), “but there are more ways of getting there than the route I took, so its hella important to me to keep finding opportunities for players to pursue their dreams of getting to that next level and I know the Panthers and this league can help with that.”
Lynch, an Oakland-native and active community activist, added, “I believe the power of football has the ability to transform a community and the families who live there. I’ve seen it and lived it. I’m excited that Da’ Town will get another team to call its own. I attended some Indoor Football games last year and had a good ass time. The games have lots of fluidity and tickets are priced so that the entire family can check it out.”
The Panthers have also named longtime sports executive Scott McKibben as its President, and Kurt Bryan, known for his role as co-creator of the innovative A-11 offense, as the team’s head coach.
McKibben has helmed numerous sports projects and facilities, including the Rose Bowl, the Coliseum Authority, and the assembly of the A-11 Football league.
The Panthers will play 7 home games at the Oakland Arena each year along with one or two rounds of playoff action should the team qualify.
More information on ticket sales, sponsorships, player transactions, fan experiences, tryouts, and community engagement opportunities will be available in the months ahead at www.Oakland-Panthers.com. More information on the Indoor Football League can be found at www.GoIFL.com.
