Fred Rivera is an experienced sports executive, business leader, distinguished attorney, and independent board director. Fred has a 30 year track record of leading strategic and operational excellence in sports, professional services, financial institutions, and federal government agencies. Fred most recently served as the Executive Vice President & General Counsel for the Seattle Mariners. Prior to his role with the Mariners, he was the Managing Partner of the largest law firm office in the Pacific Northwest (Perkins Coie). Fred has a long history of board director service on public, private, and non-profit boards, including Heritage Bank (NASDAQ: HFWA), Delta Dental of Washington, OAC Services, Inc., and United Way of King County. Fred has a strong reputation as an innovative thought leader, consensus builder, and champion for diversity and inclusion.
In his role at the Seattle Mariners, Fred was part of the senior executive leadership team and played a key role in guiding the organization’s strategic and operational direction across multiple areas, including media, real estate investment, marketing, corporate partnerships, sales, and stadium operations. He also oversaw the team’s legal and government affairs, community engagement, and philanthropic functions. Fred spearheaded the team’s sports-anchored real estate development called The Boxyard, a unique multi-use development including food, beverage, and event space offerings. He frequently represented the team at public events and in the press. He also served on the board of and led critical initiatives at ROOT Sports—the team-owned regional sports network.
Fred’s achievements in professional sports include:
- Providing leadership within the Seattle Mariners senior executive team responsible for developing and implement business strategies accross all revenue verticals, including media, real estate investment, sales, corporate partnerships, and venue operations.
- Leading the team’s real estate acquisiton and development strategy, including the first phase of a stadium district plan resulting in an innovative food, beverage, and event development called The Boxyard.
- Negotiating a 25-year lease for T-Mobile Park including public funding for capital improvements.
- Performing duties as Secretary for the team’s board of directors and handling ownership transactions, governance, and related MLB franchise requirements.
- Holding a board director position with the team-owned regional sports network ROOT Sports, and leading oversight of the network through transition, including affiliate negotiations, sponsorship, and developing direct-to-consumer strategies to expand viewership.
- Designing and implementing a new strategy for the team’s community relations and nonprofit entity grounded in serving communities and generating brand goodwill across the Pacific Northwest.
- Overseeing the team’s government and public affairs strategy, resulting in constructive relationships supporting the team’s mission and goals.
- Providing leadership in obtaining and implementing the 2023 MLB All Star Week in Seattle, WA.
Fred is active in the community, having held board and leadership positions with the United Way of King County (Past Chair), Rainier Scholars, Downtown Seattle Association, Association of Washington Businesses, Legal Foundation of Washington, Latina/o Bar Association of Washington (Past President), and Hispanic National Bar Association. The Puget Sound Business Journal recognized Fred as a 2022 “Director of the Year,” and in 2023 his alma mater California State University, Northridge awarded him the “Distinguished Alumni” award.
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