Seattle-based entrepreneur Howard Schultz is chairman of The Basketball Club of Seattle LLC. Early this year, The Basketball Club of Seattle, LLC, a group of local private investors, purchased the Seattle SuperSonics NBA franchise and the WNBA Seattle Storm basketball team. An avid sports fan, Schultz has fulfilled his lifelong dream to make outstanding sports events accessible to the entire community. Schultz is committed to bringing an NBA championship to the city of Seattle, enhancing fan support for the WNBA Seattle Storm and building upon both teams’ community involvement.

Currently Chairman of Starbucks Coffee Company, Schultz joined the company as director of operations and marketing in 1982, when Starbucks had only four stores. In August 1987, Schultz purchased Starbucks Coffee Company with the help of local investors. In June 2000, Schultz, who remains chairman of the board, assumed the additional role of chief global strategist so he could apply his brand-building expertise to Starbucks global expansion and international brand development. Widely known as the architect of the Company’s brand image, Schultz continues to provide strategic direction, serves as the vision and voice of the Starbucks brand and identifies new business alliances and development initiatives.

Schultz is available to speak about owning, marketing and branding NBA and WNBA teams.