Most Powerful African Americans in Sports


came to Dallas after serving as president of Nike Sports Management. Prior to that, he was commissioner of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), where he helped the league turn a profit and identified candidates suitable for team ownership. Highlight Reel: In his first season with the Mavericks, Ussery led a successful campaign, which resulted in funding for the American Airlines Center, a project that required three years and a whopping $450 million to complete. Ussery was named BE’S Co-Executive of the Year in 2003.”

Jonathan Mariner, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, MLB, 50: “Controlling the checks and balances for Major League Baseball, Mariner administers the MLB’s $1.5 billion league-wide credit facility. This Harvard M.B.A. prevents economic anguish by meeting with team executives and supervising all financial reporting. Mariner sits on several commissioner-appointed task forces, developing long-term revenue planning and franchise relocation decisions. Pre-MLB, Mariner served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of Charter Schools USA. He also served as CFO for the Marlins. Highlight Reel: As president of Marlins Ballpark Development Corp., Mariner oversaw development of a $400 million proposal for a baseball-only ballpark in south Florida.”

Billy King, President/General Manager, Philadelphia 76ers, 39: “King built the Philadelphia 76ers franchise from the bench up. His eight-year tenure has resulted in several team transactions, including hiring head coach Jim O’Brien and a four-team trade that put Glenn Robinson and Marc Jackson on Philly’s roster. Re-signing free agent Derrick Coleman allowed the Sixers to begin the 2003-04 season with three former No. 1 draft picks (Allen Iverson and Robinson were the other two). A former Blue Devil, King helped Duke make the Final Four twice during his undergraduate career. He is also a member of the NBA and WNBA competition committees. Highlight Reel: Under King’s guidance, the 76ers made their fifth straight trip to the NBA playoffs in the 2002-03 season.”

Gene Washington, Director of Football Operations, NFL, 57: “The judge and jury of the NFL, Washington is a stickler for safety. As director of football operations, he polices games and fines those who violate NFL-sanctioned safety procedures. A former All-American wide receiver for Stanford University, Washington was a first-round NFL draft pick in 1969 and later played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Detroit Lions. Washington worked at NBC and ESPN as a football analyst and was a sports reporter for an LA-based television station. He is a board member of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Harlem School of Arts. Highlight Reel: Washington finished his nine-year career with the 49ers in 1977 as the club’s second all-time leading receiver.”

Bob Watson, Vice President of On-Field Operations, MLB, 58: “As discipline czar of the league for the past two years, Watson is one of the most powerful men in baseball. He levies fines and penalties and hands out suspensions on players unlucky enough to find themselves in hot water. Watson is also the last word on appeals for players and managers involved in on-field infractions.


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