Christopher J. Russo

Senior Vice President, Facilities & Administration
National Basketball Association
As Senior Vice President, Facilities & Administration, Chris Russo is responsible for overseeing the design and development of various NBA projects and represents league interests on new or renovated domestic and international arena developments. Russo is also responsible for the management of the league’s Facilities & Administration Department, which directs all global travel and procurements efforts and maintains operations of league offices, including those in New York and NBA Entertainment facilities in New Jersey.

Russo joined the NBA in 1996 as a Project Manager, and was promoted to his current position in September 2007. During his tenure, he has overseen the successful completion of several major NBA projects, including the design and construction of domestic and international league offices, NBA Stores, NBA City restaurants and the development of multiuse NBA-style arenas in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, China.

As a leading facility and arena design and construction expert, Russo also directs the league’s oversight of all new arena development domestically and internationally. Russo is credited with the creation of the current NBA Arena Facility Standards, which is utilized by the AEC community when designing and building all new or renovated NBA arenas. Russo also directs NBA design and development interests internationally, focusing on the creation of NBA- branded destinations and the development of NBA-style arenas globally. Russo was instrumental in the formation of NBA China, Ltd, and in establishing the strategic partnerships in China leading toward the development of NBA-style arenas across China.

Prior to joining the NBA, Russo worked for New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani as a project manager in the Mayor's Office of Construction, where he played a significant role in the formation of New York City’s Department of Design and Construction.

Russo began his career with the Turner Corporation in New York City, where, among other projects, he was instrumental in the reconstruction of the World Trade Center after the 1993 bombing, and was a recipient of the World Trade Center Award for Exceptional Service.

Russo holds a bachelor’s degree in construction management from Utica College of Syracuse University. He currently resides on Long Island, N.Y., with his wife, Carleen and their two daughters, Anna and Victoria.

1/2012