Robert Rowell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert Rowell 1967 (age 58–59) |
| Alma mater | Cal Poly San Luis Obispo |
| Known for | Former president of theGolden State Warriors |
Robert Rowell is an American sports executive who worked for theGolden State Warriors of theNational Basketball Association (NBA) for 16 years. Rowell was team president from 2003 to 2011.
After completing his degree atCal Poly San Luis Obispo, Robert Rowell worked for the university as business manager in the athletic department. In that role, he led an upgrade in the school'sNCAA status fromDivision II toDivision I-A.[1]
In 1995, he was hired by theGolden State Warriors as assistant controller. He focused on marketing the team better, leading a re-branding campaign using the slogan: "It's a Great Time Out." He also improved the Warriors' website, increasing the number of visits and sales there, as well as installing an in-arenacybercafé and experimenting with live webcasts. Game attendance and season ticket sales increased.[1]
Rowell's successful marketing efforts led to increased responsibilities in the organization's front office, becoming chief operating officer in 2001, at 34 years old. He represented the team at the NBA Board of Governors and received Sports Business Journal's Forty Under 40 Award the same year.[2]
In June 2003, Rowell was promoted to team president, reporting toChris Cohan, owner of the team at that time. Rowell's tenure as president was marked with success from a business operations standpoint but mostly disappointment on the basketball side.[3]
After a disappointing finish to the2003-04 season, head coachEric Musselman was fired, and starsNick Van Exel andErick Dampier were traded. Rowell made his first major hires, attempting to better the team's basketball prospects. He hiredChris Mullin as executive vice president of basketball operations, similar to ageneral manager role, andMike Montgomery as head coach.[4][5]
The team underperformed under Montgomery, remaining at 12th place in the western conference for both years. However, flashes of potential came from the drafting ofMonta Ellis and a trade forBaron Davis. In September 2006,Don Nelson replaced Montgomery as head coach and the team returned to the playoffs and shocked many in the basketball world when they defeated the top seededDallas Mavericks.[4][5]
The Warriors would not return to the playoffs under Rowell.Jason Richardson was traded in June 2007, Baron Davis left in free agency the following year. The decision to suspend Monta Ellis for 30 games for his moped accident created a rift between Rowell and Mullin in the team front office. This, as well as differences of opinion in player contract negotiations, led to Mullin's ouster in May 2009.Larry Riley became the new GM.[4][5]
In July 2010, ownership of the team changed, with Cohan selling it to a group led byJoe Lacob andPeter Guber for a then-record price of $450 million. Rowell stayed for a year but was terminated as team president in 2011, as part of an organization-wide shake up under the new ownership group.[4][5]
After Rowell left the Warriors, he went on to work for The Wagstaffe Group, a legal publishing company, as a partner. He also serves as an advisor to EPIC Leisure Management.[6]