Tom Ryan
About Tom Ryan
Tom Ryan is the Vice President of Basketball Strategy at the NBA and a Board Observer at Nextiles, with extensive experience in strategic planning, growth strategy, and sports technology.
Current Role at NBA
Tom Ryan is the Vice President of Basketball Strategy at the National Basketball Association (NBA). Appointed in 2021, he operates within the New York City Metropolitan Area. His role involves managing the technology and innovation function at the NBA, focusing on advancing the game through cutting-edge initiatives, products, and partnerships. Additionally, he is tasked with developing strategies for organic and partnership-led growth across the NBA, WNBA, and G-League.
Previous Roles at NBA
Tom Ryan has held multiple roles at the NBA prior to his current position. From 2019 to 2021, he served as the Associate Vice President of Basketball Strategy. Before that, he was the Senior Director of Basketball Strategy from 2018 to 2019, and the Director of Basketball Strategy from 2017 to 2018. His roles also included serving as Senior Manager of Basketball Strategy from 2016 to 2017 and Manager of Global Strategy from 2015 to 2016. Throughout these positions, Ryan focused on developing and implementing strategic initiatives to enhance the NBA's operations and growth.
Experience at Nextiles
Tom Ryan has been serving as a Board Observer at Nextiles since 2022. His role at the company, located in Brooklyn, New York, involves leveraging his expertise in sports technology to provide strategic insights. Nextiles is known for its innovation in developing fabric-based sensors and IoT solutions, focusing on advancing wearable technology.
Prior Experience in Consulting and Investment
Before his tenure at the NBA, Tom Ryan amassed significant experience in management consulting and investment management. He worked at Monitor Deloitte as a Consultant from 2014 to 2015 and as a Business Analyst from 2012 to 2014. Ryan also spent time as an Investment Analyst at the UNC Management Company from 2011 to 2012. His roles involved strategic planning, venture investing, and new product development, providing him with a strong foundation in strategic and financial analysis.
Educational Background
Tom Ryan attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he studied Investments & Finance and earned a B.S. in Business Administration. He also studied Health Policy and Management at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, achieving a BSPH. These educational qualifications provide a strong foundation in both business and health policy, contributing to his versatile skill set in strategic planning and management.