Rick Welts

Rick Welts (born January 21, 1953) is an American sports executive who is the chief executive officer for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Welts had also served as the president and chief executive officer of the Phoenix Suns from July 2002 until September 9, 2011. He was the president of the Golden State Warriors from 2011 until 2021 and stayed with the team as an advisor until 2024. From 1996 to 1999, he was the third-highest-ranking official in the NBA as its executive vice president and chief marketing officer.

Biography Born in Seattle, Washington, Welts attended the University of Washington where he joined the Delta Chi fraternity. Welts is a member of the advisory board for You Can Play, a campaign dedicated to fighting homophobia in sports.

Welts's first partner, whom he had met in a Seattle restaurant in 1977, died in March 1994 due to AIDS. Welts ran one obituary in Seattle that suggested anyone who wanted to make a remembrance could write a check to the University of Washington architectural school, his partner's major. Welts was in another relationship from 1995 to 2009, which ended in part because of Welts' requirement that their relationship be hidden from public view. A few weeks later, Welts signed on as team president for the Warriors. During his tenure, his leadership would help turn the Warriors into a perennial contender, winning three out of five championships from 2015 to 2019. On March 31, 2018, it was announced Welts would be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

On January 10, 2020, Welts married Todd Gage, his partner of nine years, at San Francisco City Hall. The ceremony was officiated by mayor London Breed.

On April 8, 2021, Welts announced that he would step away from his position with the Warriors at the end of the season, but would remain as advisor for the team.