The Dallas Mavericks have announced Rick Welts as their new Chief Executive Officer. He will assume the role on January 1, 2025, succeeding Cynt Marshall, who served nearly seven years in the position.
*The opportunity to lead this organization in this city at this time is both incredibly exciting and unexpected,” Welts shared. “I appreciate Patrick’s confidence in selecting me to build upon the culture and success that Cynt Marshall and Nico Harrison have created. My long-standing friendships with them both give me a lot of confidence in accepting this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started learning all I can about Dallas and how best to serve our fans and this community.”
Welts brings a remarkable 46-year career in sports and entertainment, having held key leadership roles, including President and COO of the Golden State Warriors, President of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, and Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, and President of NBA Properties. His tenure at the NBA league office spanned 17 years, during which he spearheaded the creation of the NBA All-Star Weekend in 1984 and developed the marketing program for the 1992 USA Basketball “Dream Team.” In 1998, Brandweek named him “Marketer of the Year” for his role in launching the WNBA.
In 2018, Welts was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, recognized for his transformative contributions to the business side of basketball and the NBA’s global growth. He was honored alongside legends such as Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Mo Cheeks, Tina Thompson, and Grant Hill. Welts’ legacy includes championships in the NBA (4), WNBA (2), and NBA G League (1), positioning him as a strategic asset for the Mavericks’ future under new ownership and increased championship ambitions.
“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,” team owner Patrick Dumont said.
Welts, who stepped down as President of the Warriors on April 8, 2021, continued to serve as an advisor to the team. Dumont played a key role in convincing Welts to return to a full-time executive role and lead the Mavericks as CEO.
With a legacy of industry innovation, including creating the NBA All-Star Weekend and launching the WNBA, Welts is well-equipped to drive the Mavericks’ growth both on and off the court. As the team enters a new era with a restructured front office and championship aspirations, Welts is poised to position the franchise for sustained success.
