The Dallas Mavericks NBA franchise has appointed longtime basketball executive Rick Welts as their new chief executive.
He will take up the role on January 1, 2025, replacing Cynt Marshall who recently stepped down.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Welts has had a 46-year career in sports and entertainment and previously held roles at multiple NBA franchises.
Most recently, he was president and chief operating officer of the Golden State Warriors.
During his tenure with the franchise, he played an instrumental role in the success of the team both on and off the court, with three championships between 2015 and 2019.
He was also a key figure in relocating the team from Oakland to San Francisco and into the 18,000-seat Chase Center, a project which he oversaw.
How well do you really know your competitors?
Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.
Thank you!
Your download email will arrive shortly
Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample
We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form
By GlobalDataBefore joining the Warriors, Welts spent nine years with the Phoenix Suns, serving as both president and chief executive of the Arizona-based outfit and the Phoenix Mercury WNBA team.
Prior to that, he spent 17 years working for the NBA league office in various roles and is credited with developing the popular NBA All-Star concept in 1984 and marketing for the USA ‘Dream Team’ at the 1992 Olympic Games.
For his long-standing work in the NBA, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.
Patrick Dumont, Mavericks Governor, said: “Inspiring leadership has been a staple of the Dallas Mavericks since Cynt Marshall started leading the organization in 2018 as CEO. I’m extremely proud that her legacy of success and our family’s vision for the future of this franchise will soon be in the hands of another great leader.
“Rick Welts is among the most successful executives in the history of the NBA and a member of the Hall of Fame. To have him join us as we continue to build on the successful history of the Mavericks is a clear signal that this organization is serious about both growing its position as an elite NBA team and further positioning the franchise among the most popular sports teams in the world.”
Welts added: “The chance to lead this organization in this city at this time is both incredibly exciting and unexpected. I appreciate Patrick’s confidence in selecting me to build upon the culture and success that Cynt Marshall and Nico Harrison have created.”
The Mavs’ senior leadership team has been undergoing a period of change since billionaire Mark Cuban sold a majority share of the team to the Adelson family late last year.
Marshall announced her decision to step down in October and will officially end her seven-year tenure as CEO on December 31.
She became the first black female CEO in NBA history when she was hired by Cuban in March 2018.
During her stint, Marshall helped launch the new MavsTV streaming service this season which allows local fans to watch Mavs games for free. She has also overseen $30 million in recent upgrades to the team’s American Airlines Center home.
