The news was shared with league staff on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of a tenure that began in 1998. Reflecting on her decision, Behrens noted that after celebrating her 25th anniversary with the organization last year and seeing her children head off to college, she felt the timing was right to pursue new challenges. Despite the difficulty of leaving an organization she described as an incredible place to work, she expressed a readiness to transition into a new chapter of her life.
A Legacy of Social Impact and Player Advocacy
Behrens is perhaps best known for spearheading the
NBA Commissioner
From New York Politics to the NBA Office
Before her long-standing career in sports administration, Behrens’ professional path was rooted in education and politics. A graduate who served as student government president at Hartford, she initially worked in fundraising for the United Way before joining the administration of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo. Following her time in government, she served as the executive director of New York Cares.
Her transition to the NBA began after collaborating with the league on events surrounding the 1998 All-Star Game. She eventually joined the league office, where she worked closely with former Commissioner David Stern, whom she famously likened to a sports-world equivalent of Mario Cuomo. Looking back on her quarter-century with the league, Behrens expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the growth of the game. While she admitted that leaving is a difficult decision, she emphasized that it is time to pass the mantle to others, concluding a career defined by service and a profound connection to the sport.
