The Dallas Mavericks have appointed a new team president. According to the Sports Business Journal, former Minnesota Timberwolves CEO Ethan Casson has been hired for the position. This change allows current CEO Rick Weltz to concentrate on securing a new arena for the team.
Casson and Weltz share a history, reconnecting after the team’s ownership changed hands to Alex Rodriguez and Mark Lua. As team president, Casson will oversee daily operations, while Weltz will focus on major strategic goals. Although they each have their own responsibilities, Casson described their partnership as a “division and conquest” approach.
Managing the team’s day-to-day affairs is no simple task. Despite selecting Duke’s Cooper Flag as the number one overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Mavericks still face the challenge of rebuilding their fanbase. Fans remain unhappy, particularly with general manager Nico Harrison, following the surprising trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
In an interview with SBJ, Casson emphasized fan outreach as a top priority, stating, “I’m going to make one of my biggest priorities, if not the most important, to literally heal the fans.” He promised to listen closely to the supporters and engage with them.
“This is how I explain it. I want to see the fans where they are,” said Casson. “If they’re focused on the future, that’s great—tell us why we should keep that excitement going. But if they’re still disappointed and can’t believe what happened, we want to hear that too.”
This story will be updated.
Fan Take: This leadership change is crucial for the Mavericks as they work to regain trust and enthusiasm from their fanbase after a tumultuous period. Basketball fans everywhere should watch closely, as how the Mavericks rebuild could set a precedent for handling team transitions and fan relations in the sport.
