The Suns have turned to a consumer brand exec to run their business operations by hiring former Henkel Consumer Goods CEO BRAD CASPER as team President. Casper, who has never worked in professional sports, replaces RICK WELTS. Welts resigned from the Suns in early September and recently was hired as Warriors President & COO. Henkel Consumer Goods in '05 bought Scottsdale-based Dial Corp. Casper worked for Henkel from '05-10 and also has worked for Procter & Gamble. Suns interim President JASON ROWLEY also was named team COO (John Lombardo, SportsBusiness Journal). Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver said that “his focus turned toward Casper after a recent NBA ownership meeting" in which Heat Owner MICKY ARISON asked new 76ers Owner JOSHUA HARRIS "how he recruited an executive with the stature of ADAM ARON, the CEO of Vail Resorts and Norwegian Cruise Lines, to be his team's CEO.” Sarver said, "That got my wheels going in terms of maybe we could set our sights higher in terms of business experience and maybe there is a chance to bring someone in here who, because of his passion for the product, would be willing to come into a position that he's overqualified for.” Sarver added, “He also has a lot of experience in international marketing, the fastest growing part of the NBA. His depth in branding and marketing is something we never had before." In Phoenix, Paul Coro notes Casper resigned from Dial in August '10 and since then “has been involved as an adviser and board member to several multi-million dollar companies and took over JERRY COLANGELO's role as director at Grand Canyon University, a Suns marketing partner” (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 10/11). Sarver said, “It’s a win-win. He brings a lot of innovation, creativity and passion to the organization" (FOXSPORTSARIZONA.com, 10/10).
SOAP DISH: Casper said at his introductory press conference, “You might say, ‘Well, what does a guy who peddles soap, what does he know about building a basketball brand?’ Well, they are consumer-oriented brands.” He added the Suns' brand "is already very strong, but over the last few years -- I don’t think we’ve lost our way, I just don’t think it’s as clear anymore as to what we stand for. I want to make sure that what we do stand for is the best entertainment sports value” (SUNS.com, 10/10).
