A conversation with Florida Panthers CEO Matt Caldwell
When I heard my show Last Call was planning a special in Miami Beach, I knew I had something big to offer on the booking front. My college days as a host of the Pucking Panthers Podcast put me in touch with the communications department of my favorite hockey team. They even gave our vlog press passes and allowed us to pepper the coach with questions back in 2015-16.
But a full circle moment happened for me in 2024. I was able to book, produce and line produce a live interview with Florida Panthers CEO Matt Caldwell.
The long-struggling franchise was purchased back in 2013, and Caldwell was brought on shortly thereafter to guide the team’s financial decision-making. Now, 10 years later, Caldwell says a recent Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Finals has led to ‘skyrocketing’ sponsorship revenue.
Here’s the full interview with Caldwell and our host Brian Sullivan.
While it may be obvious what a segment producer does (prep all video, graphics, banners, research, and scripts for a segment) — not many are familiar with the role of the line producer. A role I’ve held for the past 3 years.
I’m basically the only person in Brian’s ear the whole time. I talk to him between breaks, let him know how much time he has left, and occasionally suggest topics during the interview while the guest is answering another question.
OFF-CAMERA
During the three-minute commercial break, I was chatting with Brian — who admittedly doesn’t know much about hockey — that superstar Matthew Tkachuk would be a great discussion point with Caldwell. I was surprised when he asked if he was Keith Tkachuk’s younger brother — and Brian felt very old when I informed him that was actually Matthew’s father. Give him credit for knowing a throwback NHL name though.
DECISIONS DURING
Ahead of the interview, it was agreed upon between our team and the Panthers comms team that we’d ask a question about the new stunning practice facility in Fort Lauderdale. It was understandably a big deal for them. As I realized we were only two minutes to the end of the show (7:58p, Shark Tank starts at 8p) — I hopped in Brian’s ear and reminded him to ask about it. Once he did, we had the video ready to run.
WRAP
Brian did it in his own hilarious way and after a little back and forth about Messi — that would be just about it for the interview. A great discussion about the team’s on-ice transformation, growing the fanbase, and key financial milestones.
And a really cool moment for me. Growing up, I was always disappointed in media coverage of the Panthers. Now I got to lay out the team’s narrative in a way that felt fair. A franchise that’s been transformed into a winner — something South Florida always wanted.
And I was able to craft the segment in a way that mattered to my new audience of CNBC viewers, not just Florida Panthers faithful. If the Pucking Panthers Podcast were still around, I’m sure Alex and Ryan would be yelling at me for not asking about the rising price of the Turkey Sandwich near the Coors Light Cold Zone. Maybe next time.
For more on the history of the Pucking Panthers Podcast, check out the page all about it on my site.
TAYLOR CRAIG MEDIA 