Patricia Ernstrom

A graduate of Santa Clara University, Patricia Ernstrom began her career in the sports industry at the San Jose Sports Authority in 1997. Patricia served the organization for nearly 20 years and operated as the SJSA executive director beginning in 2007. During her time there, Patricia oversaw all aspects of the Sports Authority’s operations, including organizational goals, strategic planning, and partnership development. In addition, she directed the year-round and annual programs operated by the Sports Authority including the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame and the REACH Youth Scholarship Program.

Patricia was also the Sports Authority’s point of contact for Levi’s Stadium and Forty Niners Stadium Management Company representatives throughout the history of the building. She played a fundamental role in Super Bowl 50, WrestleMania 31, the NHL Stadium Series, the Copa America Centenario, as well as recruiting the Gold Cup Final and 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship game.

Patricia is currently in her second year with the NFL San Francisco 49ers as the team’s Vice President of Special Events where she also served as the Executive Director of the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship Host Committee. As the Vice President of Special Events for the 49ers, she is the primary link with management at the College Football Playoff and the numerous event organizers the 49ers work with to bring events to Levi’s Stadium.

She currently serves on the Bronco Bench Foundation Board of Directors, The Institute for Sports Law and Ethics, and is a member of the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee. Her duties with the Bay Area Host Committee include leading the Bay Area’s efforts to be selected as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World CupTM. Patricia has been honored as a “Women of Influence” Award Winner by the Silicon Valley Business Journal and has been named to the San Jose Mercury News’ “Bay Area Sports’ Power Players” list.