Vincent J. Viola is the Chairman, Owner and Governor of Sunrise Sports & Entertainment and the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers, as well as Chairman of the Florida Panthers Foundation. An entrepreneur, philanthropist, and veteran of the United States Army, Mr. Viola is a Brooklyn, N.Y. native and graduate of both the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and New York Law School. Mr. Viola is also Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Virtu Financial, one of the nation's foremost providers of financial technology products and services, and former Chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange (2001-2004).

Since his purchase of the team in 2013, Mr. Viola has transformed the Florida Panthers into a world-class destination franchise—delivering the team’s first Presidents' Trophy (2021-22), three Prince of Wales Trophies (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25), and back-to-back NHL Stanley Cup wins in 2024 and 2025—including the first in the franchise’s 30-year history—earning Florida Panthers coveted recognition as Sports Business Journal’s 2025 Sports Team of the Year, and cementing the Panthers place among the NHL’s elite. Mr. Viola’s steadfast leadership, impactful investments in the local community and continued dedication to growing the game of hockey in South Florida have not only established the Panthers as a dynasty, but fueled hockey enthusiasm across the Sunshine State while making a positive impact in the lives of South Floridians. 

Under Mr. Viola's stewardship, the Florida Panthers Foundation has refocused its mission on serving veterans, in addition to investing in children's education, conserving the endangered Florida panther, and growing youth hockey with an emphasis on furthering diversity, inclusion, and access to the game. Since then, the Foundation has provided free educational programming for hundreds of local public schools and continues to serve the community through ongoing outreach programs, crisis relief efforts, grant programs, and partnerships with local 501c3 organizations.

Mr. Viola, who was recognized in 2021 by Sports Business Journal for his advocacy in diverse and inclusive hiring, is one of four team owners on the NHL's Executive Inclusion Council to combat racism and accelerate diversity. Under his leadership, the Panthers have continued to further these efforts both on and off the ice, including the revitalization of Fort Lauderdale's historic War Memorial Auditorium and construction of a two-sheet team practice and community ice facility— the Baptist Health IcePlex—which is further expanding access to the sport of hockey to thousands of tri-county residents through an array of community hockey and skating programs. 

A graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne, Air Assault, Infantry, and Ranger Schools, Mr. Viola served as an infantry officer in the 101st Airborne Division, and his dedication to the U.S. military additionally led to his creation of the Florida Panthers' Heroes Among Us program, which has honored hundreds of veterans, and counting, since its inception in 2013.

As Chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) from 2001-2004, Mr. Viola's decisive leadership, guidance, and untiring efforts were credited with leading NYMEX's reopening following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Mr. Viola's commitment to our nation's security led to his founding of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. In 2023, Mr. Viola received the Financial Innovation Award from the Museum of American Finance as the Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Virtu Financial.

A life-long horse racing enthusiast and owner of St. Elias Stables, Mr. Viola owns the 2017 Kentucky Derby and Florida Derby-winning horse, Always Dreaming, the 2019 Breeder's Cup Classic winner, Vino Rosso, and the 2023 Florida Derby winner, Forte.

Mr. Viola and his wife, Teresa, have three sons - John, Michael, and Travis - and several grandchildren.