University of Oregon Warsaw Sports Marketing Center executive director Rick Burton, one of the sports industry's most quoted pundits, is heading down under. Burton has accepted the job of commissioner of Australia's National Basketball League.
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The league announced recently that CEO Peter Ali would leave June 30 after what it termed "a change in strategic direction for the league." Burton was scheduled to start his post shortly thereafter.
The 25-year-old league is headquartered in Sydney and plans to expand into New Zealand next year. It has been plagued by financial difficulties of late, especially after the financial collapse of SportsWorld Media, which was paying the league a low-seven-figure annual guarantee for its TV and sponsorship rights.
While financial details were not available, sources said Burton signed a one-year deal.
Burton has raised the profile of the Warsaw Center immeasurably since joining the faculty six years ago. Before joining Warsaw, Burton worked as a marketer for 12 years at Miller Brewing Co. and for three years at then Clarion/Performance Properties.
The school will begin a search for his replacement shortly.
