Mike Bantom to head up NBA officials

New York, NY, United States (4E Sports) – The NBA has named longtime league executive Mike Bantom as the Executive Vice President (Referee Operations), NBA commissioner David Stern confirmed Wednesday.

Bantom, who served the NBA’s front office for 23-years after his retirement from competitive basketball in 1989, will supervise the NBA’s officiating program – including the recruitment, training, and growth of all NBA referees.

Prior to his new role, Batom served as the NBA’s Senior Vice President of Player Development since 1999, Vice President of NBA Events and Attractions from 1997 to 1999, Licensing Manager for NBA International from 1994 to 1997, and managed NBA Africa Tour and NBA Coaches tour from 1992 to 1994.

An outstanding All-American at St. John, Batom was drafted 8th overall in the 1989 Draft and averaged 12.1 points and 6.4 rebounds in his nine-year NBA career.

“Mike has been an invaluable part of the NBA for over 20 years and has excelled in leadership positions across both our domestic and international businesses,” Stern said in a press release. “That experience, together with his considerable accomplishments on the court and his respect in the basketball community, make Mike an outstanding choice to lead the NBA’s officiating program.”

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