Joe Napoli (2028)
Joe Napoli was appointed to The University of Toledo Board of Trustees by Ohio Governor
Mike DeWine in February 2026 to complete a term ending July 1, 2028.
Napoli is President and CEO of the Toledo Mud Hens baseball club, Toledo Walleye hockey club and Hensville. According to Nielsen Research, the Hens and Walleye continue to rank amongst the Top 10 most popular teams in minor and major league sports.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Napoli graduated from St. John’s University in New York. Upon graduation, he joined Manufacturer’s Hanover Trust in New York City. Napoli’s more than 30-year career in sports began with the Canton Indians and Toledo Mud Hens before spending several years working for the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Tigers.
He has been involved with the development of downtown Toledo since 1998 with the opening of Fifth Third Field and then later the Huntington Center, Hensville and the Metroparks. Downtown Toledo has since realized more than $1 billion in investment.
Napoli and his team also help organizations build customer-first cultures using the same principles that transformed Toledo’s sports and entertainment experience through Fanatical Experiences consulting services.
Napoli is a board member of the Toledo Museum of Art, ConnecToledo, Major/Minor League Baseball Governance and the ECHL. He met his wife, Annette, in Toledo during his first stint with the Mud Hens, and they love raising their family in Toledo.