In a groundbreaking move for the Dallas Mavericks, Rick Welts, a luminary in the world of professional basketball and an LGBTQ+ trailblazer, has been appointed as the team’s new chief executive officer. With a storied career spanning over four decades, Welts brings a wealth of experience and a legacy of innovation to the Mavericks organization. 

In an interview with The Advocate, Welts shared insights into the process that led to his coming out of retirement and his appointment with the Mavericks. “Patrick Dumont is the governor for the team and reached out through a mutual friend with the premise that he’d like to chat about the business,” Welts recounted. “We had a great call, and he invited me to come up to Las Vegas for a day, where he lives.”

What followed was an intense meeting that lasted nearly 10 hours. “Much to my amazement, I don’t think he looked at his phone once,” Welts said. “His passion for what he wants the Mavericks to be was really compelling. I came home that night and talked to my husband, Todd, saying, ‘Hey, you know, there’s really something here.’”

After several additional conversations and with guidance from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the decision was made. “Patrick pitched me on committing to come on board as the Mavs’ CEO. It all came together in two months, which is kind of crazy. And now I’m living in Dallas, Texas, which, if you told me that two months ago, I would have said you were crazy,” Welts reflected.

Welts emphasized the unique nature of the Mavericks’ current position compared to his past roles. “This is a wonderful opportunity,” he said. “It’s a team that’s in a different situation than the ones I’ve walked into before. Phoenix and Golden State had amazing markets but really bad teams when I arrived. The Mavericks, on the other hand, have a really good team.”

Welts’s journey through the NBA is marked by a series of historic achievements. He began his career as an executive with the Seattle SuperSonics, where he contributed to the team’s championship in 1979. Later, in the NBA League office, among his notable accomplishments was the creation of the NBA’s modern All-Star Weekend format, a concept that has become a cornerstone of the league’s global appeal. Then, as president of the Phoenix Suns from 2002 to 2011, Welts transformed the franchise into a model of business excellence.

Welts’s influence extended further during his tenure as president and chief operating officer of the Golden State Warriors from 2011 to 2021. He retired after the 2021 season. Under his leadership, the Warriors experienced unprecedented success, winning three NBA championships and setting new standards for organizational culture and fan engagement. His contributions to the NBA’s business strategies earned him election to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018, a testament to his transformative impact on the sport.

Welts also praised the Mavericks culture established under the leadership of Cynt Marshall, who was hired by team owner Mark Cuban to address the franchise’s internal challenges. “She’s done an amazing job not just restoring the culture but creating one that’s exemplary. There’s nothing broken here,” Welts observed. “I think there’s a great business opportunity going forward with a terrific team and a terrific market. That combination was a really powerful draw for me.”

As the first out gay executive in major professional sports, Welts has long been a trailblazer for diversity and inclusion. Reflecting on the media coverage of his appointment, he noted, “Being gay was only mentioned as a throwaway in the coverage. Maybe that’s a sign of progress.”

However, Welts remains acutely aware of the challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community in today’s political climate. “It’s a tough time for our community. My husband, Todd, and I attended Barack Obama’s Pride celebration at the White House in 2016, where he gave a cautionary speech about the potential for progress to reverse. I think those words were prophetic,” he said.

Welts expressed hope that his leadership can contribute to a broader culture of acceptance. “I do think that in my role, I can help build an organization that values diversity and inclusion. Patrick and the Mavericks hiring an openly gay CEO speaks volumes about their values.”