SEC Names Sports Lawyer as Its MBB Associate Commissioner
Garth Glissman, Vice President of Basketball Operations for the National Basketball Association, has been named the Southeastern Conference Associate Commissioner for Men’s Basketball, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey announced Wednesday.
Early on in his professional career, Glissman was a partner with Kutak Rock, a national law firm based in Omaha, NE. He joined the firm as a summer associate in 2007 before becoming an associate in 2009 and a partner in 2015.
As the SEC’s Associate Commissioner for Men’s Basketball, Glissman will ensure “ongoing communication related to the sport between the SEC Office and its member institutions and coaches; develop and enact strategies for enhancing and promoting men’s basketball in the SEC; prepare the Conference men’s basketball schedules and collaborate with external constituencies to ensure continuous improvement of the sport in the SEC.”
“Garth brings to the Southeastern Conference a unique set of experiences and skills that will help us address the key issues critical to the growth and continued success of men’s basketball in the SEC,” said Sankey. “His management experience with the NBA, which included serving as the NBA’s liaison to NCAA Basketball, plus his knowledge of the game and relationships in the college basketball community will be of great benefit to the SEC as we move forward.”
As VP of Operations for the NBA, Glissman was responsible for governance and rulemaking related to the playing rules and other competition-related matters in collaboration with the NBA Competition Committee, NBA General Managers, NBA Head Coaches, and National Basketball Player Association. He was also responsible for NBA rules governing the ability of NBA team personnel to scout college and high school players, and had oversight of investigations for on-court discipline of players and coaches and injury reporting and player participation statuses.
Glissman had oversight of leaguewide communications regarding competition-related matters, as well as oversight of NCAA-related matters, including the NBA Undergraduate Advisory Committee, which has contributed to a substantial decline in the number of undergraduates who declared for the NBA Draft but went undrafted in recent years. Additionally, Glissman served on the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Competition Committee and has presented on a regular basis to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee.
Glissman joined the NBA in 2016 as Senior Director of Basketball Operations before being promoted to Associate Vice President in 2019 and Vice President in 2021.
Prior to joining the NBA, Glissman was a partner with Kutak Rock, a national law firm based in Omaha, NE. He joined the firm as a summer associate in 2007 before becoming an associate in 2009 and a partner in 2015.
While working at Kutak Rock, Glissman volunteered as a high school head varsity basketball coach at Parkview Christian School and College View Academy, both in Lincoln, NE, for four years each.
A football letterwinner at the University of Nebraska, he played three seasons on the gridiron for the Cornhuskers after one season with the Nebraska basketball team. He graduated with a double major in History and Political Science in 2005 and later earned his JD from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 2009.
Glissman and his wife Katie are the parents of two children, a daughter Grace and a son Graham.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT GARTH GLISSMAN:
“Garth Glissman is a tremendous hire for the Southeastern Conference. Garth has been a trusted colleague for college basketball during his tenure as NBA Vice President of Basketball Operations. He has been a collaborative partner on important issues for student-athletes and coaches such as the NBA pre-draft process and playing rules through his service on the NCAA Competition Committee. Garth is a talented communicator who has broad experience and key relationships throughout the basketball world that will serve the SEC membership well. Congratulations to Commissioner Greg Sankey on making an excellent choice in Garth Glissman.” – Dan Gavitt, Vice President of Men’s Basketball Championships, NCAA
“Garth Glissman is a fast-rising superstar in the world of basketball. I applaud Greg Sankey for inviting Garth to join his team as no finer person can represent the SEC. I am thrilled for college athletics and especially for the basketball coaches of the SEC.” – Barry Collier, Vice President and Director of Athletics, Butler University; member NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee
“Garth Glissman has a wealth of knowledge and experience unsurpassed by few in the game of basketball. He is a former Power 5 college player in hoops and football, a high school basketball head coach and an executive in the NBA. Most importantly he has shown an unwavering commitment to the student athletes at all levels. He has been a tremendous friend and resource for myself and many college coaches. A slam dunk hire for the SEC.” — Jamie Dixon, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, TCU; past president National Association of Basketball Coaches
“I’ve known Garth Glissman for 20 years. He’s extremely bright, hard working and loves our game. He will be great for the SEC and great for College Athletics.” – Wes Miller, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, University of Cincinnati; high school teammate of Garth Glissman