BRANDON WILLIAMS

ON A JOURNEY WITH THE ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS “KAW KAW”

The XFL announced that they have appointed St. Louis native and former NFL wide receiver, Brandon Williams, as the Vice President of Business and Event Operations for the St. Louis Battlehawks, making it a win for the City of St. Louis.

Williams, 38, is now one of the youngest sports executives in the region. Brandon’s role will cover activations, business development, and performance management and bring awareness to the organization and pull in community engagement from all walks of life. One of Williams’ major roles will be executing gameday experiences by implementing the League’s strategy. He has had an illustrious career with Anheuser-

Busch InBev Association, Innovation Machine Beyond Beer. His leadership within this team helped to steer development with their products in the Beyond Beer category. His a with these products helped to garner millions of dollars in revenue, according to sources.

“I’m incredibly thankful for this opportunity, said Williams.

“The XFL is a league in its third iteration after it had been shut down by COVID-19, back in 2020”

“The structure is different because we do not have the players actually located in St. Louis, like the Blues, Cardinals, and STL City Soccer, we do have to fly the team and coaches in to execute activation”

“My job is to tell the story of the love of football in the city of St.Louis, that crazy love affair that we had with the Cardinals football team and the Rams. We just love football in St. Louis”

A two-time Second Team All-State selection in football for Hazelwood East, continuing his education at the University of Wisconsin. His honors included a freshman record with 52 receptions and a school mark of 32 kick-off returns and 670 yards. Capping off his career with the most catches (202) and second in allpurpose yards (5852) in Badger history. Williams was drafted by San Francisco in the third round (#84 overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft, he gave two seasons to the 49ers before coming home and joining the St. Louis Rams. He rounded out his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009. With his knowledge and experience with football, he was the right choice to head up the most loved XFL team in the league, The St. Louis Battlehawks.

His choice to attend NFL Broadcast Boot Camp elevated his knowledge of the game and gave him crucial tools for seeing the game from a different perspective and playing field. Williams sat in many broadcasting chairs including Big 10 Network and ESPN, and he sat behind multiple media desks in the St. Louis area for nine seasons adding to the value and culture of sports in the St. Louis region. All while Williams was speaking life into football he began to pen his first book that focused on another lane in the financial industry. He then births his first book “Millionaire Mindset: Seven Principles Athletes Need for Financial Freedom” With this journey Willimas wanted to unlock tools for athletes to win financially both in the present and in the future in their athletic careers. With these tools, Williams applies these principles to the XFL and the St. Louis Battlehawks.

“The purpose of the XFL is all about innovation, fan engagement, and creating another opportunity for coaches players, and executives to be a part of the business in the sport of football.”

With his experience as the Former president of the NFL Players Chapter, he knew what the Battlehawks and XFL needed to thrive even more in the region and the world. Williams speaks on supporting the Battlehawks, getting tickets, and connecting with their tailgating experience. “With these opportunities, it connects the fans together and creates a family environment with both the organization and the community.

The importance of sports accessibility and having “St. Louis Pride” in our city first drives revenue to a city, Williams says. He mentions how all aspects are included from parking, hotels, restaurants, and the small businesses that make up the greater community. This elevates revenue and taxes in a positive way. Also, job opportunities are created for many. So, having access to a national sports program is equitable for the city and the community.

Williams speaks on how sports in general teach structure to an individual, and also it drives a sense of family, an understanding of business, and a sense of belonging when you have introduced sports and athletes into an area. And, you have the opportunity for those who participate in it, to learn how to work with people, understand the rules involved, and it makes people better for the greater good of the community and teaches young people how to build character and do what is best for the community. “Sports definitely translate into building better people,” Williams said. His vision he has for the Battlehawks is “for the team to continue to be a pillar in the community and sustain being a true professional football team that can be seen, touched, and being a part of and being proud of a team that is building a legacy while showing the sustainability of the league, and in 3 years I see the Battlehawks becoming a team that is discussed around the kitchen table with pride.”

“ The overwhelming support that St. Louis shows for the Battlehawks was pretty evident that you have to bring back the St. Louis team. We have the most fans on social media, the most engagement, and the highest ticket sales, and just the experience of a Battlehawk game day are just off the charts. The experience of the up and down love affair with football and St.Louis being a sports city it only made sense to cement the Battlehawks back in the Lou.”

Williams’ unique story is that he is a homegrown St.Louis native who played high school football, college ball, and professional football. He played state games in the Dome at America’s Center, both in high school for the state finals, college, and professional football with the St. Louis Rams. It’s a full circle moment for Williams and having the opportunity of being the Vice President of the Battlehawks in the same dome that was in his athletic journey through his life, “ It is a surreal opportunity for me and I am a through and through St. Louis guy and having such a unique story is something very important to inspire youth, and people in their career. Not being complacent and setting goals ties in my story with the Battlhawks, and I do not take it lightly it is really important to me.”