Executive Vice President, Events & Attractions
National Basketball Association
As Executive Vice President, Events & Attractions for NBA Entertainment, Ski Austin oversees the development and production of all NBA, WNBA, NBA Development League, and USA Basketball events on a global basis. Austin has produced over 150 major events, including 17 All-Star Weekends and NBA games in 15 countries, which included the historic NBA China Games in 2004. As Director of Special Events in 1993, Austin created the NBA’s most popular interactive event, NBA Jam Session, a basketball theme park that allows fans to experience the sights and sounds of NBA basketball. This fan-favorite event at All-Star games has since grown into an internationally recognized attraction, making more than 30 stops each summer in cities across Europe, Asia, Australia and North America. Austin is also responsible for the NBA’s grassroots events and attractions, including the NBA Jam Van and NBA Rhythm ‘n Rims. Jam Van, a 67-foot, 18-wheeler truck that transforms into a 6,000 square-foot basketball playground, makes over 200 stops each year across the United States. Rhythm ‘n Rims tours team markets throughout the summer, offering a combination of interactive basketball activities along with concerts from up-and-coming bands.

In addition, Austin oversees NBA City, the first-ever NBA restaurant, located on the Universal CityWalk in Orlando, Fla., which includes a 2,100 square-foot interactive playground. A second location, in Minneapolis, opened in February 2006.

During his tenure with the NBA, Austin served as event director for the original Dream Team, which won the Gold Medal during the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, and continues to work with every Men’s and Women’s Senior National Team.

Austin joined the NBA in 1989 as Manager, Special Events after serving as a manager for Safaris, Inc., a destination management company, where he created corporate incentive functions and sports competitions. He was promoted to Director, Special Events in 1991 and to Vice President, Special Events in 1995 before being named Senior Vice President, Events and Attractions in 1997.

Austin is originally from Artesia, N.M. He attended Baylor University and graduated with a BFA in directing and theatrical design. He currently resides in Tenafly, N.J., with his wife, Teresa, and their daughter, Hayley.