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Ethan Casson is an American basketball executive. He has been the chief executive officer of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Minnesota Lynx, and the Iowa Wolves since August 1, 2016. As CEO, Casson oversees all business operations, working closely with ownership and the executive team on setting the organization’s strategic vision. Casson also serves on the NBA Board of Governors as the Timberwolves Alternate Governor. Under his leadership, the Timberwolves have achieved record growth in key NBA business metrics, including season tickets, attendance, corporate partnerships, television viewership, merchandise, and social media engagement. Notably, the team was honored as a finalist for the 2024 Sports Team of the Year by the Sports Business Journal.

Social, Community & Civic Engagement

Beyond business success, Casson's tenure has been marked by impactful social initiatives. His strategic partnerships with organizations such as the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition and the Restore the Vote Coalition have led to significant legislative victories, including the restoration of voting rights to 50,000 Minnesotans who were previously incarcerated or on parole. Such efforts earned the organization the prestigious 2023-24 NBA Inclusion Leadership Award. Casson's dedication to community and civic engagement extends deep into the heart of Minneapolis. In response to the city's social justice unrest in the summer of 2020, he spearheaded the creation of the organization's first Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion department and forged partnerships with impactful local organizations to help heal and rebuild the community. In recognition of his work, Casson was named among Sports Business Journal's "ALL IN: Leaders in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion," for 2023 and its “People Who Influenced Sports Business in 2020” list.

San Francisco 49ers

Prior to this current role, Casson spent 6 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, serving as the team’s Vice President of Corporate Sales, Chief Revenue Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. Most notably, he secured a groundbreaking 20-year, $220 million naming rights partnership with Levi Strauss & Co, one of the largest naming rights deals in NFL history. Casson also helped procure some of the most prominent events in sports and entertainment, including Super Bowl 50. Levi’s Stadium generated international acclaim for its green efforts, becoming the first NFL stadium to be twice LEED Gold certified. The success of the project resulted in several industry awards including the Sports Business Journal’s 2015 Facility of the Year and the 2016 Green Sports Alliance Environmental Innovators of the Year.

Before joining the 49ers, Casson spent 11 years with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx in various roles including the senior vice president of corporate partnerships and at ESPN in sponsorship development.

Industry Recognition

An accomplished executive throughout his career, Casson's accolades include being named to Minnesota Magazine’s Minnesota 500, Twin Cities Business Notable Leaders in Arts, Entertainment, & Sports, and Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal's Most Admired CEO. He was also honored as a member of the Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 class of 2014.

Early life

Originally from Connecticut, Casson spent his childhood in the small town of West Chesterfield, New Hampshire. A twin, he attended Keene High School in Keene, New Hampshire, where he and his brothers played basketball. Casson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management from Colby–Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire, where he also played on the men's basketball team (Class of 1996). He was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Colby-Sawyer College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.

Personal

Casson and his wife, Lisa, reside in Minneapolis with their son, Lucas.

See also

• List of National Basketball Association team presidents

References

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• Living people
• NBA executives
• Minnesota Timberwolves executives