Steve Ballmer
Owner, Los Angeles Clippers
Things are rarely dull around the hard-charging (and hard-cheering) former Microsoft CEO.
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| Photo by: Getty Images |
Ballmer revealed the Clippers’ new logo on “Conan” in June and then in July came the drama surrounding center DeAndre Jordan, who verbally agreed to leave the Clippers for the Dallas Mavericks only to abruptly change his mind amid a full-court press by Clippers head coach Doc Rivers.
Ballmer also reportedly turned down a $60 million-per-year TV deal with Fox Sports Prime Ticket and is considering creating his own over-the-top network instead.
Indeed, Ballmer likes to run things his way, and it will be fascinating to see the next moves he makes.
Grant Hill
Minority owner, Atlanta Hawks
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| Photo by: Getty Images |
The retired NBA veteran is now part of the Atlanta Hawks ownership group led by billionaire Tony Ressler.
The team last season won a franchise-best 60 games and appeared in the Eastern Conference Finals, and is primed for another deep run into the playoffs.
Hill won’t be a silent partner; he already has weighed in on basketball operations matters, and look for the team to lean on Hill as a “closer” to secure sponsorships. With Ressler having zero interest in the spotlight, Hill cuts a savvy public figure and his role with the Hawks bears attention.
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| Photo by: Marc Bryan-Brown |
Michele Roberts
Executive director, NBPA
Roberts poses a formidable foe for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and has spent the past year retrofitting the NBPA with myriad changes.She has beefed up staff, sold the union’s Harlem office to move into midtown Manhattan, and now leads the players during a period of unbridled prosperity for the league.
Soon, she will face a crucial test as she addresses whether the players will opt out of the current collective-bargaining agreement in December 2016.
Arn Tellem
Vice chairman, Detroit Pistons
Tellem for decades was one of the NBA’s most influential and powerful agents. This summer he began a new chapter, leaving Wasserman Media Group to join the Pistons’ front office, which is in the midst of a major rebuilding phase.
The highly respected Tellem will have responsibilities for business strategy, but will be involved in broader issues in helping team owner Tom Gores find growth opportunities and enhance community-based projects during the city’s financial recovery.
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| Photo by: Getty Images |
LeBron James
The NBA’s biggest and most influential star continues to take a nonconventional approach to his marketing. How many other stars throw a pep rally, complete with dance teams, a disc jockey and a slam poet, as James and Nike did to unveil his LeBron 13 shoe in his hometown of Akron?
James is more than just a marketing juggernaut. His influence runs deep as he speaks out on social matters such as gun control and race issues. James also isn’t shy about talking about league matters. He has been vocal about what effect the NBA’s massive new TV deals may have on the players.
