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. In addition, Russo is responsible for the management of the league’s Facilities & Administration Department, which 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 major NBA projects, including the design and construction of the 35,000-square-foot NBA Store on Fifth Avenue in New York City, the 17,000-square-foot NBA City restaurant at Universal Studios City Walk in Orlando, and the development of the multiuse 18,000-seat Beijing Olympic Basketball Arena in Beijing, China.

As a leading 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 the AEC community designs and builds against for all new or renovated NBA arenas. Russo currently represents NBA interests internationally, focusing on the design and development of NBA-style arenas worldwide. In 2008, Russo was instrumental in the formation of NBA China, Ltd, and in establishing the strategic partnership with AEG to development 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 terrorist bombing, and was a recipient of the World Trade Center Award for Exceptional Service. In 2007, Russo was named an industry-leading professional by Building Design + Construction magazine as part of the publications 40 Under 40 recognition program.

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.