Arts | Entertainment | Sports 2025: ROTHROCK, BEN

Becoming COO in 2023, Rothrock is now the highest-ranking Virginia- based boss of the Richmond Flying Squirrels Double-A baseball team, although he shares leadership with Brendon Porter, the team’s president, who spends part of his time in Alabama. Rothrock also held the title of general manager from 2017 until this year, when the team announced Anthony Oppermann, who was chief marketing officer in the 2024 season, would assume the role.

While Oppermann oversees the club’s day-to-day operations, Rothrock is focused on construction of CarMax Park, the Squirrels’ new ballpark starting with the 2026 season. The 8,000-seat stadium with capacity for about 2,000 additional people standing replaces the aging Diamond and is expected to cost at least $110 million. Construction officially began with a ceremonial groundbreaking in September 2024. The Richmond Economic Development Authority’s board in August 2024 approved a 30-year lease and stadium development agreement in which the Squirrels will pay $3.2 million in annual rent for the next 10 years, with the rates decreasing after that point.

A former linebacker on the Liberty University Flames football team, Rothrock has a degree in sports management.

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