SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle Seawolves today announced the appointment of JoAnne Anderson as President, ushering in a new era of growth as the club prepares for its 2026 Major League Rugby season opener tonight. With this appointment, Anderson becomes one of only two women currently leading teams in Major League Rugby, marking a significant milestone for the league and the sport.
Anderson brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing, brand building, and live events, with a proven ability to galvanize teams and audiences, shape culture, foster community, and drive meaningful business results. In her new role, she will lead the organization’s next phase of growth while expanding the reach and impact of professional rugby across Seattle.
The appointment reflects a broader shift in focus for the organization as it continues to grow both on and off the pitch.
“Over the past nine years, we hadn’t given the commercial side of rugby the attention it needed,” said Seawolves co-owner Adrian Balfour. “What’s exciting now is that we’ve brought in a new president, JoAnne Anderson. She comes from a strong marketing background, not from rugby, and that’s on purpose. Her role is to help build that commercial success here in Seattle.”
“I’m honored to join the Seattle Seawolves at such an important moment,” said Anderson. “My focus is on making rugby more accessible to new audiences while protecting and elevating the values that make the sport special. Rugby has a unique ability to bring people together, and we have an opportunity to extend that impact even further across our community.”
Anderson’s career spans leadership roles across events, consumer lifestyle brands, and national organizations. She started her career in concerts and live events at Live Nation. She later built the marketing function at Pacific Market International, where she led the transformation of the Stanley brand into a culturally relevant, consumer-loved brand through storytelling and community-driven marketing. She later led national brand content marketing and social media at Albertsons Companies, focusing on human-centered storytelling to connect with millions of customers in meaningful ways.
Across her career, Anderson has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of audiences—what drives connection, builds loyalty, and turns brands into movements. That perspective will guide her leadership of the Seawolves as the club looks to grow its fanbase and cultural footprint.
In her first year, Anderson’s approach will center on two priorities: immersion and optimization. She plans to fully embed herself in the sport and organization, amplifying what is already working while identifying opportunities to strengthen operations and impact.
Her goal is to make the Seawolves stronger and smarter in the near term, focusing on quick wins that increase awareness, deepen engagement, and position the club for sustained growth.
A key component of the Seawolves’ future vision is the planned move to Memorial Stadium at Seattle Center. While the club has valued its time at Starfire Stadium, this transition represents a strategic step toward placing the team at the center of the city it represents.
Located alongside Climate Pledge Arena, Memorial Stadium offers a highly visible, accessible home that will make it easier than ever for Seattle residents to experience professional rugby. The move is expected to significantly increase exposure, accessibility, and fan engagement by bringing matches into the heart of Seattle’s sports and entertainment district.
“With our presence at Memorial Stadium, we’re bringing rugby directly into the core of the city,” Anderson added. “We want to make it easier for more Seattleites to experience the energy of a live match and become part of what makes this sport so powerful.”
As the Seawolves enter the 2026 season, Anderson’s leadership signals a commitment to growth, innovation, and community impact. With a strong foundation already in place, the club is poised to expand its reach, welcome new fans, and establish rugby as a must-experience sport in Seattle.
The Seattle Seawolves face Old Glory DC today, Friday, April 3, in their home opener at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila. The match will feature a special Kids Night theme, offering a fun-filled experience for families. Young fans can look forward to a halftime egg dash and appearances from local sports mascots, who will be on hand to entertain and interact throughout the event.
