Danny Ainge new CEO of the Utah Jazz

[Kiorrik]

Ben Rohrbach@brohrbach 3h

The term “alternate governor” implies Danny Ainge will hold an ownership stake in the Utah Jazz.

Cs "dumped" Ainge according to CStrong experts and he went home, landed a better title, and a job position with less work, more money, and a less volatile fan base. A homecoming for a local hero.

Perhaps he jumped ship for a better opportunity?

Just as likely a little bit of everything.

Btw, there were rumours about Danny going to Utah dating back to June So that'd support the theory that he knew all along.

[Goldstar88]

The Utah Jazz hired Danny Ainge to oversee basketball operations, naming him alternate governor and CEO of Jazz Basketball and the Smith Entertainment Group on Wednesday.

Ainge will work closely with Jazz general manager Justin Zanik, who runs the team's day-to-day operations, and an ownership group that includes new owner Ryan Smith and former NBA star Dwyane Wade.

"Rarely do you get an opportunity to come into a franchise that is this close to being a special team," Ainge told ESPN, referring to the success of the Jazz, who had the NBA's best record last season and are currently third in the Western Conference standings at 19-7. "It's a very unique opportunity for all of those reasons."

We're in a position of strength to move to another position of strength," Smith said. "We'll be able to have this role be a little different than maybe some in the past. With everything that Quin's doing with the team, it's actually a really good spot. I'm also somewhat active with the team, I would say, like any of the modern ownership groups are. I think it gives Danny a unique opportunity to come in and just help. I think Danny's at a point in his career where he just wants to elevate people."

Jazz president Jim Olson will continue to run the team's business operations. Ainge said the franchise's basketball decisions will be "a collaborative" effort.

"We have great people with Quin and Justin and obviously the ownership group also," Ainge said. "Ultimately, everything will always come down to Ryan as the owner to make tough decisions, but I think I can just help by adding information to the process of making those tough decisions as an organization."

[colincb]

From the Athletic:

His bond with new owner Ryan Smith was too close, too tight, for Ainge not to land with the Jazz in some official role. The only questions appeared to be when, and in what capacity.

...

Sources close to Ainge had suggested he always wanted a Jerry West-esque role so he would have time for golf and his grandkids. Ainge’s son Tanner, a former congressional candidate in Utah who serves on the governor’s economic development board, has five children with his wife, Heidi. He is still tightly connected to his alma mater, BYU, so being close to both Salt Lake City and Provo gave him the best of both worlds. The Jazz noted in their press release that Ainge and his wife, Michelle, recently relocated to Utah.

According to sources, Smith pushed significantly to convince Ainge to take the job. It was Ainge’s initial intent to sit out the season.

...

The clues for this partnership coming together have been out in the open for some time, and there were enough rumblings in recent weeks that league sources had started reaching out more frequently about movement on Ainge’s plans.

[Goldstar88]

It was time for Danny to part ways with Boston, but the the whole “retiring” thing was clearly to save face. Otherwise. Why couldn’t he have been the CEO or a consultant for the C’s? I will always be grateful to Danny for the 08’ championship and for drafting the J’s, but I’m glad that ownership decided to move on from him. Have been happy with GM Brad, thus far.

Because a move like that, within a company, doesn't work like that.

When you're so intrinsically integrated into an organisation, you simply *can not* take a step back.

The reasons are multitude. Anyone will tell you that a change in title 99% of the time means nothing. You'll still be the person people come to, to talk about X because you know the most about it. You'll still be involved in all the things you were because, well, you're the one that does it best. Etc.

This dominoes into "maybe do this as well". Let's say he goes into the CEO role. Now you're suddenly CEO/assistant GM/president of player opps.

It's just a lot.

And like others have mentioned before; when's the last time you worked 18 years for one org? Never thought about a change in scenery?

I’ve seen this happen many times with different companies that I’ve worked for. For example, About a year ago our VP of Sales who is close to retirement age stepped back and requested to be a regional manager as he didn’t want to deal with the stress and responsibility of being in charge of the entire sales force. So the company promoted a somewhat younger individual to take his position, and the prior VP of Sales is now a regional manager until he is ready to retire. Last company I worked for made the CFO who was going to be retiring in a few years, a COO and then hired a new CFO that was 20 years younger. Better believe their roles changed as their title did.

C’s could have easily let Brad take over the day to day as GM and given Danny an advisory role with reduced responsibilities. Clippers brought in Jerry West to work with their GM a few year back as team consultant. Seems to be working well for them.

Stop saying that man. You don't know that. You legit, 100% don't know that for sure.

I'm also talking about this from experience. I'm telling you, it doesn't always work like that.

They did do it, though. For a short period of time. According to Wyc, Danny just wanted out, but IMO, both sides were ready to move on.

Grousbeck also sought to make clear in his interview that Ainge’s decision to leave was his own choice rather than something that was pushed by the organization after a .500 season.

“I wouldn’t say quit. I would say gracefully retired after 19 years,” Grousbeck said of Ainge’s departure. “The truth is he wasn’t asked to leave, and I wish he didn’t. But he did and nobody wanted him to leave. Nobody wanted him to leave and he was not asked to leave. I’ll say it again 10 times and I think everybody listening knows that.”

Ainge indicated last month he was going to remain with the Celtics in an advisory role throughout Brad Stevens’ transition this summer to president of basketball operations.

“I’m happy for Danny that he was able to make a choice and do what felt right to him,” Grousbeck said. “He’s got my total support, the whole organization’s total support and he’s going to be fine and going to be happy and do whatever he wants to do. …I don’t know if he will ever do anything again or not, but nothing is imminent.”

Just weeks after retiring from the Celtics front office, Danny Ainge has been rumored as a candidate to join the Utah Jazz front office. However, Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck does not expect Ainge to make a move back into the basketball world so soon after stepping down as Boston’s president of basketball operations after 19 years.

Grousbeck made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with Felger and Mazz on 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston on Tuesday(06/30/21), while also acknowledging that the Jazz would not need permission from the Celtics in order to hire Ainge.

“I’m going to let Danny speak for himself,” Grousbeck said of the Utah rumors. “My sense -- because I’m very close to Danny and talk to him all the time -- is there’s nothing imminent and nothing happened. At some point, for all I know, if he can’t become a touring golf pro, he might get back into the basketball game but I wouldn’t blame him. He’s been in it for 44 years. I don’t think he will be a general manager again. I think that chapter is probably closed.”

Multiple news reports out of Utah have signaled that Ainge, 62, who is close to new Jazz owner Ryan Smith, spoke with the team last week about joining the front office. Utah’s executive Vice President of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey stepped down on Sunday night from that position to take an advisory role with the team. General manager Justin Zanik has taken over the front office and will run day-to-day operations in his absence.






https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.masslive.com/celtics/2021/06/danny-ainge-joining-utah-jazz-front-office-isnt-imminent-according-to-celtics-co-owner-wyc-grousbeck.html%3foutputType=amp

[radiohead]

Congrats, Danny!

[Kiorrik]

It was time for Danny to part ways with Boston, but the the whole “retiring” thing was clearly to save face. Otherwise. Why couldn’t he have been the CEO or a consultant for the C’s? I will always be grateful to Danny for the 08’ championship and for drafting the J’s, but I’m glad that ownership decided to move on from him. Have been happy with GM Brad, thus far.

Because a move like that, within a company, doesn't work like that.

When you're so intrinsically integrated into an organisation, you simply *can not* take a step back.

The reasons are multitude. Anyone will tell you that a change in title 99% of the time means nothing. You'll still be the person people come to, to talk about X because you know the most about it. You'll still be involved in all the things you were because, well, you're the one that does it best. Etc.

This dominoes into "maybe do this as well". Let's say he goes into the CEO role. Now you're suddenly CEO/assistant GM/president of player opps.

It's just a lot.

And like others have mentioned before; when's the last time you worked 18 years for one org? Never thought about a change in scenery?

I’ve seen this happen many times with different companies that I’ve worked for. For example, About a year ago our VP of Sales who is close to retirement age stepped back and requested to be a regional manager as he didn’t want to deal with the stress and responsibility of being in charge of the entire sales force. So the company promoted a somewhat younger individual to take his position, and the prior VP of Sales is now a regional manager until he is ready to retire. Last company I worked for made the CFO who was going to be retiring in a few years, a COO and then hired a new CFO that was 20 years younger. Better believe their roles changed as their title did.

C’s could have easily let Brad take over the day to day as GM and given Danny an advisory role with reduced responsibilities. Clippers brought in Jerry West to work with their GM a few year back as team consultant. Seems to be working well for them.

Stop saying that man. You don't know that. You legit, 100% don't know that for sure.

I'm also talking about this from experience. I'm telling you, it doesn't always work like that.

They did do it, though. For a short period of time. According to Wyc, Danny just wanted out, but IMO, both sides were ready to move on.

Grousbeck also sought to make clear in his interview that Ainge’s decision to leave was his own choice rather than something that was pushed by the organization after a .500 season.

“I wouldn’t say quit. I would say gracefully retired after 19 years,” Grousbeck said of Ainge’s departure. “The truth is he wasn’t asked to leave, and I wish he didn’t. But he did and nobody wanted him to leave. Nobody wanted him to leave and he was not asked to leave. I’ll say it again 10 times and I think everybody listening knows that.”

Ainge indicated last month he was going to remain with the Celtics in an advisory role throughout Brad Stevens’ transition this summer to president of basketball operations.

“I’m happy for Danny that he was able to make a choice and do what felt right to him,” Grousbeck said. “He’s got my total support, the whole organization’s total support and he’s going to be fine and going to be happy and do whatever he wants to do. …I don’t know if he will ever do anything again or not, but nothing is imminent.”

Just weeks after retiring from the Celtics front office, Danny Ainge has been rumored as a candidate to join the Utah Jazz front office. However, Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck does not expect Ainge to make a move back into the basketball world so soon after stepping down as Boston’s president of basketball operations after 19 years.

Grousbeck made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with Felger and Mazz on 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston on Tuesday(06/30/21), while also acknowledging that the Jazz would not need permission from the Celtics in order to hire Ainge.

“I’m going to let Danny speak for himself,” Grousbeck said of the Utah rumors. “My sense -- because I’m very close to Danny and talk to him all the time -- is there’s nothing imminent and nothing happened. At some point, for all I know, if he can’t become a touring golf pro, he might get back into the basketball game but I wouldn’t blame him. He’s been in it for 44 years. I don’t think he will be a general manager again. I think that chapter is probably closed.”

Multiple news reports out of Utah have signaled that Ainge, 62, who is close to new Jazz owner Ryan Smith, spoke with the team last week about joining the front office. Utah’s executive Vice President of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey stepped down on Sunday night from that position to take an advisory role with the team. General manager Justin Zanik has taken over the front office and will run day-to-day operations in his absence.






https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.masslive.com/celtics/2021/06/danny-ainge-joining-utah-jazz-front-office-isnt-imminent-according-to-celtics-co-owner-wyc-grousbeck.html%3foutputType=amp

What's your point?

Taking a limited role with the intention to retire (which he did) is different from being a CEO at an org where you used to be GM.

Again, he'd have been an assistant to Brad for WAY longer.

Cutting ties was a smart move if he wanted an easier time.

[Celtics2021]

I think if the split weren't amicable Austin Ainge would have left as well.  But as he is still here 6 months later, it was probably a mutual parting with Danny.

[greenhead85]

Glad he's found a new home. Hopefully, he really makes the Jazz a powerhouse team in the West.

[Ogaju]

Sounds like an entirely different job than what he had here as GM.  I don't read this as "sick of running the Celtics" at all.  If he had gone and sought out a GM job elsewhere, sure.

Same.  Even if it was.  He was here for 18 years.  Sometimes people just want a change of scenery.  Especially in their later years after having health issues.

lol…..you guys are just too stubborn to accept evidence based facts.

'

Seriously m8, chill.

I don't mind disagreeing but this ain't the way.

Danny said his role was a bit much and he re-thought things after having heart issues. That's a fact.

You can draw your own conclusions from different facts, but the above is the factiest fact of them all, as it is the person himself, talking about himself and his decision.

Now, you can say "he lied" but you can also assume that people don't lie full-time.

Up to you of course. But don't go calling other people stubborn when you're the one reading the tea leaves.

you’re back.

[Goldstar88]

It was time for Danny to part ways with Boston, but the the whole “retiring” thing was clearly to save face. Otherwise. Why couldn’t he have been the CEO or a consultant for the C’s? I will always be grateful to Danny for the 08’ championship and for drafting the J’s, but I’m glad that ownership decided to move on from him. Have been happy with GM Brad, thus far.

Because a move like that, within a company, doesn't work like that.

When you're so intrinsically integrated into an organisation, you simply *can not* take a step back.

The reasons are multitude. Anyone will tell you that a change in title 99% of the time means nothing. You'll still be the person people come to, to talk about X because you know the most about it. You'll still be involved in all the things you were because, well, you're the one that does it best. Etc.

This dominoes into "maybe do this as well". Let's say he goes into the CEO role. Now you're suddenly CEO/assistant GM/president of player opps.

It's just a lot.

And like others have mentioned before; when's the last time you worked 18 years for one org? Never thought about a change in scenery?

I’ve seen this happen many times with different companies that I’ve worked for. For example, About a year ago our VP of Sales who is close to retirement age stepped back and requested to be a regional manager as he didn’t want to deal with the stress and responsibility of being in charge of the entire sales force. So the company promoted a somewhat younger individual to take his position, and the prior VP of Sales is now a regional manager until he is ready to retire. Last company I worked for made the CFO who was going to be retiring in a few years, a COO and then hired a new CFO that was 20 years younger. Better believe their roles changed as their title did.

C’s could have easily let Brad take over the day to day as GM and given Danny an advisory role with reduced responsibilities. Clippers brought in Jerry West to work with their GM a few year back as team consultant. Seems to be working well for them.

Stop saying that man. You don't know that. You legit, 100% don't know that for sure.

I'm also talking about this from experience. I'm telling you, it doesn't always work like that.

They did do it, though. For a short period of time. According to Wyc, Danny just wanted out, but IMO, both sides were ready to move on.

Grousbeck also sought to make clear in his interview that Ainge’s decision to leave was his own choice rather than something that was pushed by the organization after a .500 season.

“I wouldn’t say quit. I would say gracefully retired after 19 years,” Grousbeck said of Ainge’s departure. “The truth is he wasn’t asked to leave, and I wish he didn’t. But he did and nobody wanted him to leave. Nobody wanted him to leave and he was not asked to leave. I’ll say it again 10 times and I think everybody listening knows that.”

Ainge indicated last month he was going to remain with the Celtics in an advisory role throughout Brad Stevens’ transition this summer to president of basketball operations.

“I’m happy for Danny that he was able to make a choice and do what felt right to him,” Grousbeck said. “He’s got my total support, the whole organization’s total support and he’s going to be fine and going to be happy and do whatever he wants to do. …I don’t know if he will ever do anything again or not, but nothing is imminent.”

Just weeks after retiring from the Celtics front office, Danny Ainge has been rumored as a candidate to join the Utah Jazz front office. However, Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck does not expect Ainge to make a move back into the basketball world so soon after stepping down as Boston’s president of basketball operations after 19 years.

Grousbeck made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with Felger and Mazz on 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston on Tuesday(06/30/21), while also acknowledging that the Jazz would not need permission from the Celtics in order to hire Ainge.

“I’m going to let Danny speak for himself,” Grousbeck said of the Utah rumors. “My sense -- because I’m very close to Danny and talk to him all the time -- is there’s nothing imminent and nothing happened. At some point, for all I know, if he can’t become a touring golf pro, he might get back into the basketball game but I wouldn’t blame him. He’s been in it for 44 years. I don’t think he will be a general manager again. I think that chapter is probably closed.”

Multiple news reports out of Utah have signaled that Ainge, 62, who is close to new Jazz owner Ryan Smith, spoke with the team last week about joining the front office. Utah’s executive Vice President of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey stepped down on Sunday night from that position to take an advisory role with the team. General manager Justin Zanik has taken over the front office and will run day-to-day operations in his absence.






https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.masslive.com/celtics/2021/06/danny-ainge-joining-utah-jazz-front-office-isnt-imminent-according-to-celtics-co-owner-wyc-grousbeck.html%3foutputType=amp

What's your point?

Taking a limited role with the intention to retire (which he did) is different from being a CEO at an org where you used to be GM.

Again, he'd have been an assistant to Brad for WAY longer.

Cutting ties was a smart move if he wanted an easier time.

The point is that ownership could have offered him a consulting role, similarly to what he is going to be doing in Utah. Wyc had said in the interview that they didn’t want Danny to leave. You’re saying that if they did offer him a consulting position that it wouldn’t work, which I don’t agree with. It doesn’t always work, but I’ve definitely seen instances where it has.

[SHAQATTACK]

I predicted way back during time Kyrie quit the team , major embarrassment and Kemba was a bust , Danny would be exiting one way or another, too much negativity in the club  . Now ,   I still predict the return of Doc Rivers ..Only strengthened by Doc and Simmons feud and pressure now on Doc to get A banner without Simmons ..LOL …..good luck ! 

[Ogaju]

Alternative Governor….did he get a piece of the action?

[colincb]

Alternative Governor….did he get a piece of the action?

According to Adam Silver,  the terms "Governor of the team" and "alternate Governor" are terms used to describe those with an ownership interest.

[nickagneta]

Alternative Governor….did he get a piece of the action?

I have seen tweets saying he may very well have. DWade is part owner. Maybe Danny gets paid in ownership shares.

[knuckleballer]

I predicted way back during time Kyrie quit the team , major embarrassment and Kemba was a bust , Danny would be exiting one way or another, too much negativity in the club  . Now ,   I still predict the return of Doc Rivers ..Only strengthened by Doc and Simmons feud and pressure now on Doc to get A banner without Simmons ..LOL …..good luck !

I’d be thrilled to replace Ime with Doc next season.  He’s a good coach and great with star players.