• March 16, 2011

NBA Commissioner says David Shoemaker, president of the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), has been named CEO of NBA China, effective June 1. As such, Shoemaker will oversee all of the league's business and basketball development in Greater China.

"David Shoemaker has the right combination of experience, talent and leadership ability, making him an ideal choice to serve as CEO of NBA China," said Stern in a statement.  "The game and our business in China have expanded dramatically since NBA China's launch in 2008, and David has the necessary skills to lead our talented team in continuing our growth."  

Shoemaker will join Steve Richard, NBA China's CFO, and COO Collins Qian in developing the league's business and helping to accelerate basketball's growth in the country.    

NBA China is governed by a Board of Directors that includes NBA owners, representatives of strategic investors, NBA Commissioner Stern, NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO Adam Silver, President, NBA International Heidi Ueberroth, and former NBA China CEO Tim Chen.

Shoemaker was appointed WTA President in August 2009 and was responsible for all global operations of the Tour, including full authority over WTA China.  He oversaw all of the Tour's television, digital, and sponsorship relationships and development, as well as community and government relations.

NBA China was launched in 2008 and the league says an estimated 300 million people in China play basketball, and fans across the country watch NBA games and programming.