Bush Center Young Professionals, in collaboration with The Cary Council, is pleased to host Rick Welts, CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, on April 8 at 6:00 p.m. in The Debate Chamber at Old Parkland.
Join us for a live Learning from Leaders and The Strategerist podcast recording, as Mr. Welts discusses his career. Come ready to listen and be part of an exclusive, meaningful conversation! Young Professionals members must log in to register. Space is limited.
Become a Young Professionals member to receive access to this event and more.
About the Speaker
Rick Welts is one of the most respected executives in global sports, with a career spanning more than four decades at the NBA league office and three NBA franchises. In 2025, the Dallas Mavericks named Welts CEO, making him the first executive in league history to serve as President or CEO of three different NBA teams. Welts is also the only NBA team president or CEO to lead organizations that have won championships across all three NBA-affiliated leagues: the NBA, WNBA, and G League.
Prior to joining the Mavericks, Welts spent a decade as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Golden State Warriors. During his tenure, the Warriors reached five consecutive NBA Finals and won three championships. He also led the development and opening of Chase Center, a privately financed, sports and entertainment district in San Francisco.
Earlier in his career, Welts served as President of the Phoenix Suns, where he oversaw all business operations for the Suns, the Phoenix Mercury, and their arena. Under his leadership, the Mercury captured two WNBA championships. Before that, he spent 17 years at the NBA League Office in New York, rising to Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, and President of NBA Properties. His legacy there includes creating NBA All-Star Weekend, leading the marketing of the 1992 U.S. Olympic “Dream Team,” and co-launching the WNBA.
A native of Seattle, Welts began his NBA career at age 16 as a ball boy for the Seattle SuperSonics and later served as the team’s director of media relations during their 1979 NBA championship season. In 2011, he made history as the highest-ranking executive in men’s professional team sports to publicly come out as gay, further cementing his influence as a leader both on and off the court.
Welts is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (Class of 2018) and currently serves on its Board of Governors. He has received numerous industry and civic honors recognizing excellence in leadership, innovation, and inclusion, including awards from Sports Business Journal, Brandweek, GLAAD, the Anti-Defamation League, and the United States Tennis Association. He will be inducted in the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame in June 2026.