SEATTLE — Mariners president of business operations Katie Griggs, the first woman to hold the position in franchise history, resigned on Friday, the team announced. Griggs will move to the East Coast to be closer to family and take on a new role.
Griggs will continue in his current role in Seattle until later this month, when Mariners chairman and managing general partner John Stanton will take over from him on an interim basis until a new president of business operations is named.
“It is with mixed emotions that I have made the very difficult decision to step down from my role as president of business operations,” Griggs said in a statement. “After much consideration, I have decided to prioritize my family and move back to the East Coast to be closer to my parents and my work. [my husband] Justin with his elderly parents.
“My time in Seattle getting to know the community and working with so many talented people at T-Mobile Park and beyond will always be special to me, and I look forward to seeing what great things the future has in store for the Mariners.”
Stanton added in his statement: “I know this was a difficult decision for Katie, and I appreciate her professionalism in working with me through this process.”
Griggs’ new role was not immediately disclosed.
Griggs, a North Carolina native, was hired in July 2021 to replace team president and CEO Kevin Mather, who resigned in February 2021. During that transition period, the Mariners also restructured their front office to split the business and baseball operations evenly, with baseball operations overseen by Jerry Dipoto.
Her hiring came after an extensive process involving a 12-person committee and after four successful years as president of business operations for Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United, but her career began long before that, when she enrolled in college at just 14 and later graduated from Dartmouth College.
In Seattle, Griggs played a key role in the 2023 All-Star Game and the 2023 NHL Winter Classic at T-Mobile Park, among other accomplishments born out of his passion for the fan experience.
“I want to thank Katie for her hard work and leadership over the past three years,” Stanton’s statement read. “The Mariners have grown as an organization and accomplished several great accomplishments. … In speaking with her as she struggled with the decision to return to the East Coast, it was clear how much she cares about our organization and the people who make our team special. However, finding an opportunity that would allow Katie and her husband, Justin, to be closer to their extended family was too important to pass up.”
If hired, Griggs would be the only active female president in an MLB front office, joining the Marlins’ Caroline O’Connor, who was promoted to Miami in 2022. With Griggs leaving the Mariners, O’Connor will become the only female president in MLB.
