PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday introduced former Nike executive Larry Miller as their new team president in charge of the business aspects of the franchise, such as tickets sales and corporate sponsorships and marketing.
Miller has spent the past 10 years at Nike, and most recently served as vice president and general manager of basketball, responsible for the shoe and apparel maker's global basketball business.
"For me, what I'd like to do is see this city fall in love again with the Portland Trail Blazers," Miller said.
General manager Kevin Pritchard is in charge of player personnel matters.
Rod Leiweke, chief executive of Vulcan Sports, had been serving as interim president after the Blazers decided not to renew Steve Patterson's contract.
Vulcan Sports oversees both the Trail Blazers and Seattle Seahawks, owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
"Larry is a pre-eminent figure in the basketball industry and one of the most widely respected sports professionals in the country, and importantly has been a longtime member of the Portland community," Allen said.
Patterson, who was president and general manager, abruptly resigned on Feb. 28 after Allen refused to renew his contract.
Before Miller joined Beaverton, Ore.-based Nike, the 57-year-old was president of apparel maker Jantzen, based in Portland.
"I know that the things that I learned and the things I experienced at Nike will help me bring this organization back to where it needs to be," Miller said.
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