Portland Trail Blazers announced today that the club has named Larry Miller as Team President. Miller joins the organization after ten years at Nike, Inc. near Beaverton, Ore., including recent leadership as Vice President and General Manager, Basketball.

“It is a very exciting day for the Trail Blazers organization to be able to announce the hiring of Larry Miller as our team President,” said Trail Blazers Chairman and Owner Paul Allen. “Larry is a preeminent figure in the basketball industry and one of the most widely respected sports professionals in the country, and importantly has been a long time member of the Portland community.”

As President of the Trail Blazers, Miller will be responsible for all aspects of the Trail Blazers business portfolio, including all team business activities, the Rose Quarter and Rose City Radio and will report to Vulcan Sports CEO Tod Leiweke.

“Larry Miller has operated successfully at the highest levels of our sport“, said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “The Trail Blazers and the city of Portland will greatly benefit from his expertise and vast knowledge of the NBA. I am pleased to welcome him to the league.”

The Trail Blazers also announced that Executive Vice President, Mike Golub has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer reporting to Larry Miller. Golub will oversee Sales and Marketing, Business Affairs, Arena Operations, Broadcast, Community Relations and Public Relations. Also reporting to Larry Miller will be General Counsel, Mike Fennell, Chief Financial Officer, Gregg Olson with General Manager Kevin Prichard reporting into Miller on all business aspects of the basketball team.

Completing the Blazers senior management team is Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Sarah Mensah, Senior Vice President of Business Affairs, J. Isaac, Vice President of Communications, Cheri Hanson, Vice President of Broadcasting, Dick Vardenega, Vice President of Sponsorship, Jack Bradley, Senior Director of Ticket Sales and Service, Brad Stith, Chief Information Officer, Chris Dill, Director of Human Resources, Traci Reandeau and Director of Community Relations, Traci Rose.

“I am very honored to join the Trail Blazers Family”, said Miller. “Having lived in Portland for the past 15 years working for a great company such as Nike, I understand the vital role a successful Trail Blazers organization plays in our community. I look forward to working with Paul Allen, Tod Leiweke, Kevin Pritchard and the excellent people already on staff in helping restore the Trail Blazers as the pride of Portland and one of the model franchises in sports.”

Miller, a Philadelphia native, joined Nike as Vice President, USA Apparel in 1997, having previously served as President of Jantzen since 1992. Miller was promoted to president of Brand Jordan in 1999. During his tenure in that role Miller led Jordan through a period of strong growth as it expanded product offerings, including women’s apparel, added to its portfolio of Team Jordan athletes and celebrated the 20th anniversary of Air Jordan. Brand Jordan grew revenues 40 percent in fiscal 2006 and Miller was named Vice President and General Manager, Basketball on October 4 of that year.

In his most recent role at Nike, Miller was in charge of developing and executing integrated global strategies designed to deliver premium experiences across all product engines to basketball worldwide. He was also responsible for Nike’s global basketball business, including the day-to-day operations of the Jordan Brand.

“Larry leaves behind a very talented team at Nike, and we wish him much success in his new role,” said Nike Brand President Charlie Denson. “We look forward to continuing Nike’s strong relationship with the Trail Blazers and with Larry.”