The Seattle Mariners announced Monday veteran sports executive Charles Johnson as the team's new Vice President of Corporate Partnerships.
Johnson has over 14 years of experience in professional and college sports, most recently working with the WNBA's Dallas Wings and Forth Worth National Lacrosse League expansion team. He's also served in business leadership roles with the Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) and the New York Yankees (MLB).
“Charles’ experience in sponsorship sales, team building, client relations and revenue growth with several high-profile teams in a variety of leagues, makes him the ideal choice to head up our Corporate Partnerships department," said Frances Traisman, the Mariners senior vice president of sales, who Johnson will be reporting to. "We are thrilled to have him join our team and know that he will make an immediate impact on our organization and in our community,”
Charles Johnson, VP Corporate Partnerships for Seattle Mariners
Courtesy of Seattle MarinersIn addition to being in strong sports markets, Johnson sees a lot in common between the Mariners and the Wings.
“We’ve been the youngest team in the WNBA league the past four years that I was there," Johnson said in a statement of the Wings. "There’s a lot of upside on the court and that’s great to have. And when you think about what Jerry Dipoto has done with the farm system, going from the 30th ranking to 5th, and from what I’m hearing, people in Seattle want to win. Knowing you have the youngest team in league, Top 5 in defense, the sky’s the limit."
Johnson, a San Antonio, Texas native, said he also takes pride in being a Black man for his new position with the Ms. He's the first of five kids to go to college, according to a club press release. He received an undergraduate degree in Communication Studies and master's degree in Business from Texas Tech University.
“There’s only 30 of these positions in Major League Baseball and I don’t know where that stands among diversity and inclusion, but I can only assume that I’m probably one of the only African American VP’s of Corporate Partnerships in Major League Baseball," Johnson said. We have a long way to go, but I’m super excited to take on this opportunity."