Houston Rockets CEO Tad Brown said Friday he will resign at the end of the season.
Brown has served in that role for 15 years and been with the Rockets since 2002.
“It’s been the greatest honor of my professional life to lead this organization,” Brown said. “It’s been the ride of a lifetime.”
Brown’s resignation is the latest development for an organization that went from fielding one of the top NBA teams to being the worst in terms of record.
General manager Daryl Morey and coach Mike D’Antoni departed after last season and superstar guard James Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in mid-January.
The Rockets are just 15-44 entering Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers after making the playoffs in each of the previous eight seasons.
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“It was a really challenging fall,” Brown said of the changes. “The people who left meant a lot to me.”
Owner Tilman Fertitta, who purchased the team in 2017, said he appreciates Brown’s long service to the club.
“On behalf of the entire Rockets organization and my family, I want to thank Tad for his stellar and tireless service to the Houston Rockets franchise,” Fertitta said in a statement. “I could not have asked for a better leader to work with since becoming owner.
“Tad has played an integral role in the success of our franchise both on and off the court. I have known Tad since his arrival in Houston 19 years ago and want to sincerely thank him for his friendship and for building a tremendous organization throughout the Rockets and Toyota Center.”
–Field Level Media