NBA to name Mark Tatum new Deputy Commissioner for Adam Silver
By Josh Hill
The NBA is close to being handed over to the rule of soon-to-be commissioner Adam Silver, who serves as the league’s current deputy commissioner. With Silver’s promotion to commissioner, the league needs to appoint a new deputy and it appears they’ve made a decision.
According to NBA guru Adrian Wojnarowski, the league will be naming Mark Tatum the new deputy Commissioner to fly alongside Adam Silver.
"Several league officials describe Tatum as bright, capable and engaging, an executive who has spent most of the past 15 years as a revenue creator for the NBA. Tatum has overseen the league’s marketing partnerships with major corporate brands, and managed sales relationships with the league’s TV and media partners."
Not many people are familiar with Tatum, and that includes executives in NBA front offices, but the move is notable for more than a few reasons. In his promotion to deputy commissioner, Tatum becomes the highest ranking African-American or minority executive in professional sports.
Tatum will take his position when Silver takes over for current NBA commissioner David Stern next month.