The Dallas Mavericks announced the hiring of longtime sports executive Ethan Casson as the organization’s new president, effective August 11. He will report to Chief Executive Officer Rick Welts and oversee the franchise’s day-to-day business operations.
Casson’s appointment marks an addition in a newly created role, allowing Welts to shift focus to long-term strategic priorities, including the construction of a new basketball arena for the team’s next home.
“The Mavericks are committed to being an elite professional sports franchise, and fundamental to that goal is adding top-tier executives like Ethan Casson to our senior management team. With a demonstrated record of leadership and success as an NBA executive, Ethan will help us advance our primary goal of building and maintaining a championship-winning team,” said Dallas Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont. “Additionally, we continue to be focused as an organization on efforts to enhance the game-day experience for our fans – in both the near-term and with the construction of a new state-of-the-art arena in Dallas in the years ahead.”
Casson brings more than 25 years of experience across the NBA and NFL. He most recently served as chief executive officer of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Lynx, and Iowa Wolves.
“We are thrilled and fortunate to be adding one of our industry’s most experienced and respected executives to our management team. It is a demonstration of the Mavericks’ commitment to building a best-in-class organization,” said Welts. “He will be my partner in charting the team into the future and will allow me to devote more time to our strategic priorities, including the building of our new arena and entertainment district in Dallas, and our transition from a basketball organization to a sports and entertainment company operating our own venue.”
Before his time in Minnesota, Casson served as chief operating officer of the San Francisco 49ers and played a central role in the development of Levi’s Stadium. He was instrumental in securing a landmark 20-year, $220 million naming rights deal with Levi Strauss & Co., one of the largest in NFL history.
“Being named president of the Dallas Mavericks is an extraordinary honor,” said Casson. “I’m deeply grateful to Rick and Patrick for their trust in me to help lead this iconic franchise – one poised not only to compete at the highest level on the court, but to deliver a world-class experience for the most passionate and loyal fans in the NBA.”
The Mavericks’ current 30-year lease with the American Airlines Center will expire in July 2031. The team continues to evaluate potential venue locations, but specifics have not been disclosed.