 The Panthers are co-owned by Oakland native and NFL All-Pro running back, Marshawn Lynch, and by Roy Choi, who also owns the IFL's Cedar Rapids River Kings and San Diego Strike Force.The Panthers are Oakland's first arena/indoor football team, as well as the Bay Area's first since the San Jose SaberCats, who played in the Arena Football League from until , and again from until , winning four ArenaBowl championships.They also ensured that pro football remained in Oakland after the National Football League's Oakland Raiders moved to Las Vegas in 2020, and that the Oakland Arena maintained a primary tenant after the Golden State Warriors moved to San Francisco in the 2019–20 season.