Building the Game-Day Experience in Seattle

There’s a moment in every career where things just click. For Ryan Lothman, that moment didn’t come with a spotlight or a buzzer-beater. It came somewhere between running a scoreboard on short notice and realizing he was hooked on the rhythm of live sports production.

Now, as Manager of Game Presentation and Fan Experience for the Seattle Torrent, Ryan is orchestrating one of the most dynamic environments in sports today, blending storytelling, technology, and crowd energy into something fans feel long after the final whistle.

“I create all of the game scripts and run the show… I found my calling. It’s something I can see myself doing for a very long time.”

Finding a Path in Sports (Without Playing the Game)

Like a lot of people in the industry, Ryan’s journey started with a love for sports. Hockey, specifically. But there was also an early realization.

The NHL wasn’t in the cards.

That didn’t mean the dream had to end. Instead, it evolved.

From studying sport management to adding a master’s in marketing, Ryan built a foundation that would eventually land him in Tucson, Arizona, cutting his teeth in minor league hockey before stepping into a much bigger arena in Seattle.

And that leap? It wasn’t small.

“It was like going from driving a go-kart to getting the keys to a Ferrari.”

The Power of the Modern Venue

Seattle’s arena didn’t just offer a new job. It offered a completely different canvas.

With more than 28,000 square feet of digital signage, the building transforms at the push of a button. No ladders. No late-night banner swaps. No physical changeovers.

Just pixels, precision, and possibility.

“I haven’t had to take down a single banner this season… nothing is physical. It’s all digital. That’s a life changer.”

That flexibility doesn’t just make things easier. It unlocks creativity.

Theme nights become immersive. Branding becomes fluid. And every game can feel completely unique.

Breaking Records and Building Momentum

In just their inaugural season, the Seattle Torrent set a U.S. attendance record for women’s hockey with 17,335 fans.

And what makes that number even more impressive? They had to get creative to reach it.

Standing room only tickets. Packed concourses. A building buzzing with energy.

“We didn’t even know if it was possible, but we found a way.”

That momentum isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s part of a larger wave.

Women’s sports, especially hockey, are surging. Olympic visibility, increased media exposure, and growing fan investment are all fueling the rise.

And in Seattle, that energy feels amplified.

“It’s just a hotbed for women’s sports right now.”

The Art of Game Presentation

What Ryan does isn’t just production. It’s live storytelling.

Every game has a script. But like any good live show, it rarely goes exactly as planned. There are timeouts to fill, sponsors to activate, crowd energy to manage, and moments you can’t predict.

An injury changes the tone. A big play shifts the energy. A celebrity sighting creates a spark. And in real time, decisions have to be made.

“You’ve got to be nimble. You’ve got to be comfortable pivoting.”

From the press bridge, Ryan becomes the conductor of a fast-moving orchestra. DJs, camera operators, replay, lighting, graphics. Everyone connected through a headset, moving in sync.

But the most important signal? The crowd.

“You’ve got to feel the fans. Did you hit the mark or did you miss it?”

Creating Moments That Stick

Some elements are planned. Others are instinct.

When to trigger a “Make Some Noise.”
When to hold a moment.
When to drop in a feature that gets the crowd buzzing.

And sometimes, it’s about knowing when not to do anything at all.

“You’re not going to run a t-shirt toss when there’s a player down. It’s about reading the room.”

That balance between preparation and intuition is what separates a good show from a great one.

More Than a Game

At its core, this role goes beyond entertainment. It’s about growing the game.

In Seattle, that means reaching multiple audiences at once:

• Die-hard hockey fans
• Supporters of women’s sports
• First-time attendees just looking for a fun night out

And when it works? Those first-timers come back.

“Once you see hockey live, you’re hooked.”

Advice for the Next Generation

Ryan’s path wasn’t built on a single opportunity. It was built on saying yes. A lot.

Volunteering. Internships. Showing up. Getting reps. Even when it wasn’t glamorous.

“Never say no to an opportunity. You never know who you’re going to meet.”

That mindset still defines careers in sports today. Relationships matter. Experience matters. And sometimes, the smallest opportunity opens the biggest door.

Final Thoughts

Game presentation lives in the space between structure and spontaneity. It’s part planning, part instinct, and part feel.

In Seattle, that mix is helping fuel record crowds, elevate women’s hockey, and create an atmosphere that sticks with fans.

And for Ryan? It’s exactly where he’s meant to be.

“It’s a ton of fun. And I’m grateful I get to do it.”

Listen to the full conversation in this podcast episode!