Ed Tapscott was named President of Bobcats Basketball Holdings, LLC, which owns and operates the Charlotte Bobcats of the National Basketball Association, the Charlotte Sting of the Women’s National Basketball Association and C-SET (Carolinas Sports Entertainment Television) and will be the operator and manager of the new Charlotte Arena, it was announced by majority owner Robert L. Johnson.
“Eddie Tapscott is one of the top executives in the professional sports industry and he has been an exemplary leader for our organization since we arrived in Charlotte,” said Johnson. “He has drawn together a terrific staff and the Bobcats organization has been recognized locally and nationally as a first-class sports and entertainment property under his direction.”
Tapscott became the organization’s first employee when he was hired on January 6, 2003, following Johnson being unanimously awarded the expansion Charlotte NBA franchise and the Charlotte Sting. Tapscott has directed the creation of the team’s new Bobcats identity and the team’s successful sales and marketing effort, taken over the operation of the Charlotte Sting and hired Bernie Bickerstaff to lead the Bobcats basketball operations effort as both general manager and head coach. Additionally, while under Tapscott’s direction the organization has developed a new regional sports network, C-SET, overseen the on-going construction of the City of Charlotte’s new state-of-the-art uptown arena, created an elite horse show jumping competition - the Charlotte Jumper Classic - and embraced a Charlotte community that has welcomed the organization with open arms.
“I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by an experienced and talented staff here in Charlotte,” said Tapscott. “As we enter our second season of Sting basketball, move closer to tipping off our inaugural Bobcats season, prepare to launch our new cable network and get ready to open an incredible new arena, I’m confident that our organization’s future is bright.”
Tapscott was named by Sports Illustrated to its inaugural listing of the “Most Influential Minorities in Sports” and Charlotte Magazine tabbed him on its 2004 list of the “Power 50” in the City of Charlotte.
Active in the Charlotte community, Tapscott serves on a variety the Boards, including the United Way of Central Carolinas, the Urban League of Central Carolinas, UNC Charlotte Belk College of Business, Charlotte Center City Partners, Charlotte Chamber, Johnson C. Smith University Board of Visitors, YMCA of Greater Charlotte and the Winston Salem State University Leadership School.
Tapscott brings a wealth of experience to the expansion franchise, having served in a variety of basketball roles for the past 25 years. He was vice president of player personnel and basketball operations and served as interim president and general manager of the New York Knicks during the 1990’s, when the team made two trips to the NBA Finals (1994 and 1999) and advanced to at least the second round of the playoffs every year. In addition, Tapscott worked as a front office consultant to the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns.
Tapscott’s career in basketball first began in 1978 as an assistant coach at American University under then Head Coach Gary Williams. Tapscott was elevated to the head coach position in 1982 and he guided the Eagles to more victories than any other coach in the program’s history.
He left the school in 1990 to become a player agent for Advantage International in Washington, DC, and worked with the firm for one year before joining the Knicks staff.
Prior to joining the Charlotte franchise, he worked as an on-air television analyst for Fox Sports and Comcast Sports Net. His duties included covering the NBDL (National Basketball Development League) and the Washington Wizards.
Tapscott completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at Tufts University, where he also played basketball for Coach Tom Penders. Tapscott completed his legal education at the Washington College of Law at American University.
A native of Washington, D.C., Tapscott and his wife, Janis Thomas, are proud parents of a daughter, Logan (12).