The Dallas Mavericks have named Rick Welts as their new Chief Executive Officer. Welts will begin his term January 1, 2025 and he will succeed Cynt Marshall, who served in the role nearly seven years.
“The chance 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.”
Over his extraordinary 46-year career in sports and entertainment, Welts has served as President and COO of the Golden State Warriors, President of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, as well as Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, and President of NBA Properties. During his 17 years with the NBA league office, Welts’ notable accomplishments included the creation of NBA All-Star Weekend in 1984 and the marketing program for USA Basketball’s Olympic “Dream Team” in 1992. He was named “Marketer of the Year” by Brandweek in 1998 for his role in launching the WNBA.
Welts was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 for his groundbreaking contributions to the business side of basketball and shaping the NBA’s global appeal. Welts was part of a historic class that included Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Mo Cheeks, Tina Thompson, and Grant Hill. Welts provides experience and vision as the new CEO of the Mavs, marking a transformative era for the franchise under new ownership and heightened championship aspirations. Welts brings prestige to the Mavericks as he was a part of championship teams in the NBA (4), WNBA (2) and the NBA G League (1).
“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.” Owner Patrick Dumont stated on his new CEO.
At the helm of successful organizations during his career, Welts is well-positioned to meet the expectations of new ownership. Welts stepped down from his role with the Warriors April 8, 2021 and remained as an advisor for the team. Dumont had to convince Welts to get back to a full-time executive role and lead the organization as the next CEO.
Welts’ history of innovation, including his contributions to the creation of the All-Star Weekend and WNBA, shows his ability to drive growth on the court and the industry. As the Mavericks enter a new chapter with a revamped front office, roster and a focus on championship success, Welts will position the team for success in the next era of the Dallas Mavericks.