NEW YORK – Byron Spruell, a distinguished operational leader with more than 25 years of management experience in global professional services, has been appointed NBA President, League Operations, it was announced today by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Spruell, who begins with the NBA on August 1, will report to Silver.

In his new role, Spruell (SPREW-ell) will oversee critical league operations, including the Basketball Operations and Referee Operations departments and the processes regarding the management of rule changes, the evaluation and training of game officials, and the enforcement of conduct standards and discipline. Spruell will also collaborate with USA Basketball and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to promote the global growth of the game. Executive Vice President, Referee Operations Mike Bantom and Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations Kiki VanDeWeghe will report to Spruell.

Spruell spent the last 20 years at Deloitte LLP, most recently as its Vice Chairman, Central Region Market Leader. He spearheaded the firm’s client and business growth and strategic positioning across 22 states consisting of 31 offices and more than 14,000 Deloitte professionals across the region. He also served as Chicago Managing Principal, supervising talent and community involvement initiatives in the local office.

“Byron’s excellent track record of operations and employee management coupled with his established leadership skills make him well-suited to further develop and enhance the processes supporting our game,” said Silver. “An innovator with strong strategic vision and a willingness to challenge the status quo, Byron is a terrific addition to the NBA’s executive team and will be instrumental in helping to shape the future of our league.”

“As a lifelong NBA fan, I’m privileged to join the league at such an exciting time,” said Spruell. “Having watched the NBA’s continued ascendance from afar, I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity than a leadership role with a forward-thinking organization that embraces new technology and modern management techniques while upholding the critical principles of transparency and integrity.”

During his tenure at Deloitte, Spruell was responsible for driving the global growth of the firm’s financial advisory business. In that capacity, he led the 8,500-person practice across nearly 150 countries, managing operations in markets such as Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Japan and India. Spruell also spent four years at Deloitte as Managing Principal, acting as Chief of Staff to former U.S. CEO Barry Salzberg. Before joining Deloitte in 1996, Spruell worked as an executive consultant at Peterson Consulting LLC for seven years.

Spruell has served on several charitable boards and committees, including World Business Chicago and the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and is active in various nonprofit organizations, including the United Way, Big Shoulders Fund and Chicago Urban League. He is currently on the boards of the Museum of Science and Industry, Northwestern Memorial HealthCare and Metropolitan Family Services in Chicago and the Jackie Robinson Foundation in New York.

Spruell, who grew up in Cleveland, earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA in finance from the University of Notre Dame. He was an offensive lineman and co-captain of the Fighting Irish’s football team and currently serves on the University’s Board of Trustees. Spruell met his wife, Sedra, at Notre Dame. They have a son, Devyn, and a daughter, Aleah.