NBA ownership is oftentimes forgotten about. Fans remember players, coaches, they even know the team’s top decision-makers (In Masai We Trust). Yet, we often forget about the team’s TOP decision-maker — The Owner/Governor.
“Ownership is the biggest competitive advantage in sports.” They are the head decision-maker, typically the longest tenured-individual, and the only person who takes part in every aspect of the team. If you have a bad GM, a bad coach, or bad players, you’ll likely have better luck soon. If you have bad ownership, it will impact your team for decades.
Think of some of the most dysfunctional, loathsome organizations in the league over the past few years: The New York Knicks, the Phoenix Suns, the pre-Ballmer Los Angeles Clippers.