CKA’s Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Sports (ACES) Initiative will be hosting a discussion with Korean American leaders in the NFL. They will be sharing their stories of how they became pioneers in their field. Moderated by Gloria Lee, Partner of Rutan & Tucker, LLP, the panel will feature ESPN’s award-winning journalist, Mina Kimes, Atlanta Falcons Kicker, Younghoe Koo, Co-Owner and President of the Buffalo Bills, Kim Pegula, and Co-Owner of the San Francisco 49ers, Gideon Yu.
Hosted by the Council of Korean Americans, in partnership with the Chinese American Heritage Foundation.
May 12, 2021 07:00 PM in Eastern Time (US and Canada)
About the Speakers
Gloria J. Lee (Moderator) Partner, Rutan & Tucker, LLP
Gloria Lee is the Client Relations Partner for Rutan & Tucker, LLP, one of the largest full-service law firms in California. She is the only Korean-American partner and Chair of the Firm’s Business Development Committee. She is an award-winning commercial real estate attorney and in 2017 was named by the California Diversity Council as one of Southern California’s “Most Powerful and Influential Women.”
Mina Kimes NFL Analyst, Senior Writer, Podcast Host & Television Contributor, ESPN
Award-winning journalist Mina Kimes is an NFL analyst, senior writer, podcast host and television contributor for ESPN. Since joining ESPN The Magazine in 2014, her profile has grown steadily across the company’s multimedia platforms, spanning digital and print, television, radio and podcasting.
In June 2020, Kimes was named an NFL analyst, joining ESPN’s daily news and information show, NFL Live. She also offers football analysis on Get Up, SportsCenter, First Take and more, in addition to being a regular contributor to Around the Horn, Highly Questionable and The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.
Younghoe Koo Pro Bowler and Placekicker, Atlanta Falcons
Younghoe Koo is a South Korean American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He began his professional career with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017, then played for the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football (AAF) where he scored the first points in league history. This success led to Koo’s NFL return with the Falcons the same year. Koo is known for his ability to successfully execute onside kicks, a reputation he developed as a member of the Falcons, and received Pro Bowl honors in 2020. Click here to learn more about Younghoe Koo.
Kim S. Pegula Co-Owner and President, Buffalo Bills
Kim Pegula is the CEO and Owner of Pegula Sports & Entertainment. She is also the Co-Owner of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and a minority owner of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres as well as having ownership and management roles in a variety of other closely held companies.
As Co-Owner of the Bills, she has been active with the NFL since the purchase of the team in 2014, serving on their Foundation and Super Bowl & Special Events. She has served as a minority owner of the Sabres since 2011 and represents the team as an Alternate Governor in league meetings. Kim’s sports ownership also includes the AHL’s Rochester Americans and the NLL’s Buffalo Bandits.
Gideon Yu Co-owner and Former President, San Francisco 49ersGideon Yu is the Co-Owner and Former NFL President of the San Francisco 49ers and is the first ethnic minority President in NFL history. Gideon previously served as the Chairman and CEO of Bowers & Wilkins, one of the leading brands in home audio. These previous roles were the result of the startup he co-founded in 2014, EVA Automation, acquiring 50-year old Bowers & Wilkins in 2016.
Most recently, Gideon was President and still remains co-owner of the San Francisco 49ers. He was the first President of color of any team in the history of the National Football League. Gideon led the financing and building of Levi’s Stadium, which included the largest stadium construction loan in the history of professional sports and the largest long-term stadium financing in NFL history. During his operating tenure with the 49ers, the team went to three consecutive NFC championship games and played in Super Bowl XLVII.
