FIBA extends Patrick Baumann’s contract as secretary-general until 2031
RECOGNIZING the key role he has played in the growth of world basketball governing body FIBA and the sport in general since coming on board, FIBA’s Central Board unanimously agreed at the weekend to extend the contract of Secretary- General Patrick Baumann until 2031.
While his current contract as an official of the basketball body does not expire until 2022, FIBA saw it fit to extend it some more to ensure continuity of the programs and advancements made under Mr. Baumann’s watch.
“We are really pleased with the work of Patrick Baumann. He has helped FIBA become a solid organization thanks to the implementation of concrete measures such as the introduction of a new, efficient modern structure and governance system, which unites the whole FIBA family, integrates its key stakeholders and protects our values; the construction of the House of Basketball, our first and very own purpose-built headquarters; and the signing of longterm commercial partnerships, providing for a stable and strong financial foundation which supports all of the FIBA family for the next decade,” said FIBA President Horacio Muratore in a statement shared to members of media.
“From a sporting perspective, he has been instrumental in the development of our new competition system that came into effect last year as well as the successful launch of 3x3, which has now become an Olympic discipline. These accomplishments, among others, have contributed greatly to FIBA’s vision of making basketball the most popular sports community. The Board felt it therefore essential to ensure stability in our work on the agreed road map towards this vision with Mr. Baumann at the helm of FIBA,” he added.
Swiss Baumann was first became part of FIBA in 1994 as a lawyer before being appointed deputy secretary-general a year later.
In 2002, he was unanimously appointed secretary- general by the Central Board and five years later became a member of the International Olympic Committee.
Incidentally, under the term of Mr. Baumann the Philippines has seen its stock rise as a FIBA stakeholder, having been chosen to host a number of high-profile FIBA tournaments, including FIBA Asia and the recently concluded FIBA 3x3 World Cup.
The Philippines, along with Japan and Indonesia, is also hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023.
Prior to joining FIBA, Mr. Baumann was involved in basketball as a player, coach and referee in Switzerland and Italy.