NEW YORK (Dec. 19, 2024) – The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) today announced that Morgan Cato has been named Executive Vice President of Player Operations at the NBPA. In this role, Cato adds to the Union’s veteran leadership team with previous experience from across the NBA ecosystem, both league and team-side.

As the EVP, Player Operations, Cato will lead joint NBPA-NBA programming, ensuring maximum player impact, on-court performance, officiating engagement and effectiveness. Cato will oversee the NBPA mental wellness team and resources and strategically revitalize the Education Trust to expand its reach and benefit. She is also expected to develop a rotational program set to launch in early 2025 for former NBPA members to support off-court career aspirations, growth and transitions.

"We are excited to have Morgan join us as the new Executive Vice President of Player Operations," said Andre Iguodala, Executive Director of the NBPA. "Morgan is a great fit for this position having worked with our players in several different capacities, with a track record of leading high-level basketball operations and global initiatives. We are confident her expertise will serve as an invaluable resource for past, present and future generations of players."

Cato brings a wealth of expertise to the role, most recently having served as Assistant GM & VP of Basketball Operations for the Phoenix Suns, where she focused on improving 360° team performance, operations and strategy. Before joining the Suns, Morgan held various roles at the NBA, eventually becoming Associate Vice President of League Operations. At the NBA, she played an instrumental role in launching the inaugural Basketball Africa League season, creating the Referee Development Program, NBA Coaches Equality Initiative and the Women in Basketball Operations Forum.

“It’s an honor to join the NBPA, continuing my work in basketball with the organization that most directly impacts the players – they are the game,” said Cato. “I look forward to partnering with the league and teams to champion the needs and growth of our players, so they can continue to excel both on and off the court.”

Prior to her career in basketball, Cato worked for various Fortune 500 companies, including Lehman Brothers and Ernst & Young. Cato earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, in Business Sport Management and Human Resource Management respectively, from Stony Brook University. She also completed esteemed Leadership Development programs at both Harvard Business School and The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. 

About the NBPA 

The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) is the union for current professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Established in 1954, the NBPA’s mission is to protect and advance the rights of our players. They are the game.

The NBPA advocates on behalf of the best interests of all NBA players, including through the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, the filing of grievances on behalf of the players, and counseling players on benefits, educational and post-NBA career opportunities. Business opportunities are generated by THINK450, the group licensing and partnership engine of the NBPA. With more than 80 active partnerships, THINK450 is dedicated to uncovering shared interests between players and leading brands to build more engaging collaborations.

The NBPA Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members by supporting and assisting people, communities and organizations worldwide. It spotlights and amplifies the global initiatives of professional basketball players, driving positive change through community building, charitable endeavors and social entrepreneurship.

For more information, visit www.nbpa.com and follow @thenbpa on social.

 
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Media Contact: communications@nbpa.com