Executive Vice President, Events & Attractions
National Basketball Association
As the Executive Vice President of 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 more than 225 major events, including 23 All-Star celebrations, and NBA games in 16 countries and territories, which included the historic NBA China Games (2004, 2007-2010, 2012), and NBA Europe Live (2006 to 2010, 2012).

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 NBA All-Star has since grown into an internationally recognized attraction, making more than 30 stops and visiting more than 8 million fans 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 Nation. Jam Van is a 67-foot, 18-wheel truck that transforms into a 6,000 square-foot basketball playground and tours the U.S., China, and Europe annually. NBA Nation is a customized 18-wheel, 53-foot showtruck that tours the U.S. and transforms into a 20,000-square-foot basketball playground.

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

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

4/2012