Chang takes charge of NBA’s China operation
Derek Chang, an accomplished sports and entertainment executive with more than 20 years of experience in leading and managing global media brands, has been appointed CEO of NBA China.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced the appointment on Monday.
Chang, who starts his new job on June 1, will be based in the league’s Beijing office and report to NBA deputy commissioner and COO Mark Tatum.
Chang will oversee the league’s basketball and business development in China, supported by NBA China’s senior leadership team to continue the growth of basketball in the region.
Chang was most recently the head of International Lifestyle Channels at Scripps Networks Interactive, where he directed the international expansion of Scripps’ lifestyle brands.
Prior to joining Scripps, Chang served as executive vice-president of Content Strategy and Development at DIRECTV, where he oversaw all content, including the management of DIRECTV’s sports business and its relationship with the NBA, including the league’s out-ofmarket live-game subscription package.
He also previously served as executive vice-president of Development at Yankees Entertainment & Sports (YES) Network, where he played an instrumental role in the launch of the network and its relationship with the Brooklyn Nets.
“Derek’s experience in media and sports, combined with his proven leadership and management abilities makes him an ideal leader of the NBA’s presence in China,” said Silver.
“Basketball continues to thrive in China and the NBA looks forward to continuing to work with Yao Ming and the Chinese Basketball Association on growing interest and participation in the game at every level.”
Chang said he’s looking forward to the challenge.
“I am so privileged to join the NBA and its talented team assembled in China at such an exciting time,” he said.
“The league has done a tremendous job engaging and growing its fanbase in China, and I look forward to working with all our partners in China to lead the league to even greater heights with new initiatives and, most importantly, increasing basketball participation among boys and girls.”
During his tenure at Scripps, Chang oversaw five international entertainment brands, including Asian Food Channel, Fine Living, Food Network, HGTV and Travel Channel.
Under his leadership, HGTV launched outside of North America for the first time. Chang also helped drive the expansion of the Food Network in Latin America and its launch as a free-to-air channel in Australia and Italy.
Chang holds an MBA from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University.
He was named one of Cablefax Magazine’s “Top 100 Executives in Cable” and one of the “50 Most Influential People in Sports Business” by Sports Business Journal.
Chang also served on the board of directors of Starz after its public spinoff in 2013.