The NBA has named AMY BROOKS the league's first Chief Innovation Officer, signaling the league's "growing emphasis on developing creative global business strategies," according to John Lombardo of SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL. Brooks "also has been promoted" to NBA Team Marketing & Business Operations President. She had been TMBO Exec VP since '14, and will "continue to oversee that department in her new role." The new position and promotion give the already highly regarded Brooks "more influence within the league." The move also "points to the NBA's diversity efforts as Brooks assumes a more senior executive role." Brooks will report to NBA Deputy Commissioner MARK TATUM and will be "responsible for creating and assessing the league's innovative business efforts." Brooks will "lead a 10- to 15-member staff to develop business initiatives." One initiative Brooks will address is the "potential development of a midseason NBA tournament, an idea that has been discussed over the past few years" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 11/13 issue).
