Patrick Clifton
About Patrick Clifton
Patrick Clifton is the Vice President of Player Health & Performance at the NBA, with a background in mechanical engineering and law. He specializes in integrating technology with sports administration to enhance player health and safety.
Title
Patrick Clifton holds the position of Vice President of Player Health & Performance at the National Basketball Association (NBA) since 2022. His role focuses on the critical aspects of player health and performance, ensuring the highest standards are met within the league.
Education and Expertise
Patrick Clifton completed a B.Eng/B.LLB at the University of Adelaide, achieving degrees in both engineering and law over six years from 2001 to 2007. He further pursued a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from RMIT University between 2007 and 2010. His diverse educational background combines engineering and legal knowledge, positioning him to tackle complex challenges in player health and performance.
Professional Background
Patrick Clifton has extensive experience in sports administration and player health. He served as Associate Vice President of Player Health & Performance at the NBA from 2021 to 2022 before stepping into his current VP role. Previously, he held various positions at the Australian Football League (AFL), including Head of Health, Safety & Laws (2018-2021), Operations and Innovations Manager (2016-2018), and Research and Football Projects Analyst (2012-2016). Additionally, he worked as a Research Associate at RMIT University from 2007 to 2013.
Current Roles
In addition to his role at the NBA, Patrick Clifton serves on the boards of the Yarra Junior Football League and the Barbara Dicker Brain Sciences Foundation in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. These roles allow him to contribute his expertise and leadership to organizations focused on health sciences and youth sports.