Basketball Operations

Basketball Operations oversees the league’s oncourt activities, including the development of regular-season and playoff schedules, the management of rule changes, and the enforcement of player conduct standards and discipline. Basketball Operations also works closely with USA Basketball and FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, to promote the international growth of the game.

Basketball Strategy & Analytics

The Basketball Strategy & Analytics department is responsible for data collection, analysis and technology pertaining to all on-court activities. The group, in partnership with Referee Operations, oversees the Game Review Program to help drive improvements in referee performance and rules clarification initiatives. Basketball Strategy & Analytics also leads strategic initiatives focused on innovating and improving the NBA game, such as rules changes, improvements to the competition format and implementation of technologies to improve player health, game integrity and fan engagement.

Communications

Communications is comprised of five subgroups. Basketball Communications manages basketball media relations and institutes and enforces media policy and procedures for the leagues and the teams while overseeing media operations for all major events. Business Communications supports all business areas including Marketing Partnerships, Merchandising, Digital, Team Marketing & Business Operations, Player Programs, Social Responsibility and Marketing. International Communications supports the media relations efforts of regional offices around the world. Response Management is responsible for monitoring media coverage. Editorial manages internal communications and creates content highlighting the game for dissemination to the media.

Content

The Content department is one of the largest providers of digital and sports content in the world and is responsible for the development, production, and programming of NBA, WNBA, NBA 2K League and NBA G League content. The department also oversees all major events globally including the leagues’ All-Star events, Drafts, Playoffs, and Finals.

Digital Media

Digital Media’s mission is to bring the world courtside by providing the NBA experience for everyone, everywhere. The department creates and manages digital products (like mobile applications and virtual reality products) that extend the league’s global reach. The NBA is the most popular sports league on social media, and the Digital Media team manages all of the league’s social platforms. The department also works with NBA Digital (a joint venture between the NBA and Turner Sports) to manage and present best-in-class websites and digital products for the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and all teams across the four leagues, and develops strategies for distributing content to our global regional offices and partners.

Facilities & Administration

Administration oversees a range of operational and professional services for the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League and NBA 2K League. The Facilities team ensures that the work environment is functional and well-maintained, and is responsible for office renovation design, overseeing equipment repairs and maintenance, and acting as the liaison between the league office and property management. Administration also manages mail, duplication, messenger, office supply, and catering services. The Risk Management and Insurance team utilizes various risk transfer mechanisms, such as insurance, and proactively identifies and minimizes risk to help to protect the NBA’s human, financial and physical assets. The Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) team provides strategic guidance and serves as a catalyst for league-wide D&I strategies. The team is focused on ensuring that the NBA continues to have a diverse and inclusive mix of talent at all levels globally and that the full capacity of that talent is being leveraged. The team is also responsible for guiding supplier diversity and inclusion learning efforts.

Finance

The Finance department partners with business leaders to provide decision support and financial rigor around business plans, business performance, market expansion, product launches and new initiatives. The “League Finance” team is responsible for business planning, financial reporting, decision support, and setting and monitoring the short- and long-term financial goals of the organization. The “Controllership” team oversees all the accounting, tax, treasury, accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll functions. The “Team Finance” group provides analytical and transactional support to NBA teams and oversees the execution and compliance with key League-wide programs.

Global Innovation Group

The NBA’s Global Innovation Group is a unique in-house strategy group responsible for the creative development and execution of long-term growth initiatives for the NBA and its affiliated leagues, in terms of both revenue and fans. It is also responsible for creating a culture of innovation by equipping NBA departments with the skills, mindsets and tools to surface and execute new concepts. It serves as a consultant and adviser to the league’s Senior Leadership Team on the strategic direction for the company and on individual initiatives.

Global Media Distribution

Global Media Distribution manages relationships with the NBA’s domestic and international television and digital media partners. The group oversees the distribution of NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and USA Basketball games and programming content in more than 200 countries and territories. The content is circulated in more than 40 different languages, reaching millions of households worldwide.

Global Partnerships

Global Partnerships develops and manages marketing and merchandising partnerships with some of the world’s most recognizable brands. The department creates and executes marketing and merchandising platforms tailored to driving each partner’s business around the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and USA Basketball.

Human Resources

Human Resources drives the NBA’s global workforce strategy, including talent acquisition, talent management, employee development, employee relations, compensation, and benefits. Human Resources works to identify candidates that will help drive the league’s strategic direction and business goals, develops programs to aid in employees’ professional development, and implements policies and procedures designed to maintain an employee-friendly workplace. The department also supports the company’s human resources information systems (HRIS) that provide data and reporting to assist in key business decisions.

Information Technology (IT)

Information Technology (IT) designs, develops and maintains systems and technical infrastructure that support the League’s global operations and corporate goals. IT works closely with NBA business areas to help them derive the highest value from their technology investments. This includes technologies that enable NBA employees to work most effectively and collaboratively with their co-workers, teams and partners. IT also interfaces with, and provides support to, NBA teams and their venues for technologies that are used during games. The department also provides the technical infrastructure and on-the-ground support to thousands, including employees, marketing partners, broadcasters and media at major events such as the All-Star game, Finals and Draft. IT is responsible for protecting the NBA’s data and infrastructure through a best-in-class Cyber Security program.

International Regional Offices

The NBA’s international offices grow the game of basketball globally by hosting NBA events around the world, creating sponsorship opportunities for local businesses, developing merchandising strategies with regional licensees, selling international TV packages, and overseeing regional public and media relations. Our regional offices (and locations) are listed below:

• NBA Asia (Hong Kong, Manila)
• NBA Canada (Toronto)
• NBA China (Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei)
• NBA Europe (London, Madrid)
• NBA India (Mumbai)
• NBA Latin America (Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro)
• NBA South Africa (Johannesburg)
• NBA United States (NYC, Secaucus, NJ)

Legal

The legal department provides advice and counsel with respect to all of the company’s activities and businesses on a global basis. For the NBA and WNBA, the department assists in the negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements with players, including the salary cap system, the anti-drug program, and the grievance/arbitration process. For both of these leagues and the NBA G League, the department provides advice on the structuring of player contracts, trades, disciplinary matters, and playing rules issues. League transactional lawyers administer policies governing the transfer and relocation of teams, the approval of new arenas, and the regulation of team ownership and debt. Our deal lawyers negotiate and advise on the structuring of business arrangements with counterparties in a variety of areas, including television, digital media, sponsorship, consumer products, gaming, and events. Our intellectual property lawyers maintain and protect the company’s worldwide portfolio of trademarks and copyrights. The legal department handles litigation, investigations, and legislative affairs, and oversees a compliance program across all of our business lines and offices.

Marketing

Marketing is responsible for the NBA’s global marketing operation, directing brand development, strategy, and advertising of league-wide marketing campaigns and promotional initiatives across the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, and NBA 2K League. The department includes Market Research and Analytics, Advertising and Media, Digital Marketing Strategy, Events Strategy, Customer Data Strategy, and Brand Management.

Media Operations & Technology

Media Operations & Technology manages the operation and distribution of NBA TV and the global distribution of NBA Entertainment (NBAE) programming. This department is also responsible for domestic and international satellite operations, NBAE studio operations, and digital media operations and encoding. The team also collects, catalogues, stores, archives and retrieves all NBA assets, and collects and distributes nightly data from arenas across all three leagues.

NBA 2K League

The NBA 2K League is a professional esports league co-founded by the NBA and Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO). Launched in 2018, the league features the best 102 NBA 2K players in the world. Each of the league’s 17 teams drafted six players to compete as unique characters in 5-on-5 play against the other teams in a mix of regular-season games, tournaments and playoffs.

NBA G League

The NBA G League is the NBA’s official minor league, preparing players, coaches, officials, trainers, and front-office staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 26 teams with one-to-one affiliations with NBA franchises for the first time ever during the 2017-18 season, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

Referee Operations

Referee Operations is responsible for all aspects of the NBA’s officiating program, including recruiting, training and development, and scheduling. Referee Operations is also responsible for the Replay Center, which facilitates using instant replay to help make decisions in conjunction with the on-court officials. Referee Operations partners closely with the Basketball Strategy and Analytics team (within Finance & Strategy) to manage game data and analysis programs, including the Game Review Program.

Security

Security is responsible for maintaining the integrity of NBA, WNBA, 2K League and NBA G League games. The department designs, develops, and executes security plans and programs to provide a safe and secure environment globally, protecting players, fans, and employees at league offices, arenas, and special events. The department’s goal is a safe and secure NBA for all.

Social Responsibility & Player Programs

Social Responsibility & Player Programs leads the League’s global social responsibility and youth basketball participation initiatives as well as player development and strategic marketing efforts that help players be more successful off the court. The programs managed by this department include NBA Cares, Jr. NBA and the Rookie Transition Program, an orientation program designed to educate and help rookies successfully transition into their roles as professional athletes. In addition to community building and player programs, the department also oversees efforts with former players, player family members and it manages communication and engagement with government agencies.

Team Marketing & Business Operations (TMBO)

Team Marketing & Business Operations (TMBO) is a unique in-house consulting group within the NBA league office that strives to drive best practices and innovation across all of the NBA, WNBA, NBA 2K League and NBA G League teams. The focus of this fast-paced and collaborative department is on all aspects of business operations, including ticket sales and service, sponsorship, marketing and digital.

WNBA

The Women’s National Basketball Association, in its 20th season in 2016, is a unique global sports property combining competition, sportsmanship, and entertainment value with its status as an icon for social change, achievement and diversity. This department helps manage all aspects of operations for the 12-team league, including player relations, basketball operations, fan development, social responsibility, communications, and marketing partnerships.