Patricia Ernstrom

Vice President & Executive Director of BAHC

5th NFL Season, 5th with 49ers

Patricia Ernstrom is in her fifth season with the 49ers. In her role, Ernstrom led the overwhelmingly successful 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship and is now leading the Bay Area’s bid to be one of the host communities for the 2026 FIFA World CupTM. In June 2018, FIFA awarded the opportunity to host the event to the United Bid of Canada, Mexico and the United States. The Bay Area and Levi’s Stadium are among 17 candidate host communities among the three countries – with final cities to be selected at a later date. 

Before Ernstrom joined the 49ers, she worked at the San Jose Sports Authority for nearly 20 years. As executive director, Ernstrom oversaw all aspects of the Sports Authority’s operations, events, strategic planning, and partnership development as well as 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.

As part of her efforts at the Sports Authority, Ernstrom worked closely with Levi’s Stadium and Forty Niners Stadium Management Company representatives throughout the history of the building. She played a pivotal role in Super Bowl 50, WrestleMania 31, the 2015 NHL Stadium Series, the Copa America Centenario, as well as bringing the Gold Cup Final and 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship Game to Levi’s Stadium. 

Prior to joining the Sports Authority, Ernstrom spent seven years in Bay Area television first in promotions and marketing and later as the producer for local programming at KPIX 5.  

Ernstrom was inducted to the Sports Events & Tourism Association Hall of Fame in 2019, 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. 

A graduate of Santa Clara University, she has served on the Bronco Bench Foundation Board of Directors, The Institute for Sports Law and Ethics, and as a member of the Bay Area Sports Organizing Committee.