“In New York, there’s the economy, [and] there’s the competition. There are so many different choices for people to make, so it makes us work harder — it makes us focus on what’s important to our customers in addition to providing a team that’s competitive on the court or ice,” he says.
As the NBA and NHL seasons wrap up and players head for the golf courses, Mills and Ussery remain focused on their goals: fielding competitive teams while watching the bottom line. With the Spurs eliminating the Mavericks from the playoffs in six games, the Knicks finishing with a record of 37 — 45, and the Rangers failing to break even at 32 — 36, both execs and their respective staffs have their work cut out for them. But these execs will make sure they have the right people in the right places to get the job done — profitably.
— Additional reportingby Marcia A. Wade
Terdema Ussery
Dallas Mavericks HDNet
Age: 44
Title: CEO, Dallas Mavericks, HDNet
Years in Position: 7
Education: Princeton University (bachelor’s), Harvard University (master’s), University of California at Berkeley (law degree).
Career Highlight: As commissioner, he turned around the Continental Basketball Association. Also led a successful campaign that resulted in funding for American Airlines Center.
Steve Mills
New York Knicks
Liberty Rangers
Age: 43
Title: President, sports team operations, Madison Square Garden
Years in Position: 2
College: Princeton University, sociology major
Career Highlight: Creating a flexible model by which each of Madison Square Garden’s sports teams would become integrated to do business efficiently while maintaining their individual identities.