President of Business Operations, San Diego Gulls Hockey Club

Matt Savant joined the San Diego Gulls in 2016 as President of Business Operations, the primary development affiliate of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) Anaheim Ducks. Over the last six years, he has successfully led the Gulls’ business efforts to record growth, while initiating numerous community, fan-friendly and youth hockey programs that have increased the popularity of the sport in the San Diego region.

Savant is the primary liaison between the San Diego Gulls and the Anaheim Ducks. His role oversees the business operations in San Diego, including accounting, broadcasting, communications, community relations, corporate partnerships, entertainment, fan development, finance, gameday operations, marketing, merchandising and ticket sales.

In June 2020, Savant was announced as part of the AHL Return to Play Task Force, a 13-person strategic committee of NHL and AHL executives established for the purpose of providing expert leadership and strategic direction to the AHL in planning for the league’s return to play in the 2020-21 season.

Savant has spearheaded several initiatives in conjunction with Gulls’ ownership, Henry and Susan Samueli, including charitable programs that support over 75 nonprofit organizations annually, a team foundation that supports the community in the areas of education, youth hockey, health and wellness, and an expanded grassroots marketing program. To date, the Gulls have raised and donated more than $900,000 to the San Diego community since the San Diego Gulls Foundation’s inception in 2016.

Savant serves on the board of directors for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society San Diego and San Diego Hall of Champions, and is a member of San Diego Sports Innovators.

Matt and his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Ainsley, Luca and Teagan, reside in San Marcos.