NBA Executive Vice-President of Events Steps Down
Posted On: August 12, 2014 By :Ski Austin, the NBA’s executive vice-president of events, will step down on October 3 after 25 years with the league and eight years as the leader of the league’s events department. He will remain involved with the NBA as a consultant and adviser.
During his tenure at the NBA, Austin has overseen the development and production of all NBA, WNBA, NBA Development League and USA Basketball events on a global basis. He has produced more than 250 major events, including 25 All-Star celebrations, NBA games in 18 countries and grass-roots events around the world. Among his accomplishments, Austin created the NBA All-Star Jam Session in 1993, the league’s interactive fan festival. He also served as event director for USA Basketball’s original Dream Team in 1992.
“Ski’s vision and expertise have led to tremendous growth in the scope of our events during the past 25 years,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “We are thankful for his extraordinary contributions during a distinguished NBA career and are fortunate that he will continue to be involved as an adviser for NBA events.”
“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with this incredibly dedicated and talented group of professionals,” said Austin. “If you love the game of basketball as much as I do, and you have the privilege to work every day with people who are passionate about their jobs and are the best in the business, there’s no better place in the world. My time with the NBA family has produced indelible memories too numerous to count, and I’ll always be proud of what we accomplished.”
Prior to being named executive vice-president of events in 2006, Austin was named senior vice-president of events and attractions in 1997. He previously worked as the NBA’s vice-president of special events and before that, director of special events. He joined the NBA in 1989 as a manager for special events after serving as a manager for Safaris, Inc., a destination management company, where he created corporate incentive functions and sports competitions.
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