Christopher Russo
Chief Real Estate & Facilities Officer
NBA

As Senior Vice President, Facilities & Administration, Chris Russo is responsible for overseeing the design and development of various NBA projects and represents league interests on arena and branded destination developments. Russo is also responsible for the management of the league’s Facilities & Administration Department, which supports global NBA real estate initiatives and maintains operations of league offices, including those in New York and New Jersey.

Russo joined the NBA in 1996 and during his tenure he has overseen the successful completion of several major NBA initiatives, including the design and construction of the NBA’s flagship retail store in New York City and the NBA Replay Center in Secaucus, N.J. As a leading facility and arena design and construction expert, Russo directs the league’s oversight of all new arena development and is credited with the creation of the current NBA Arena Standards, which are utilized by the AEC community when designing and building all new or renovated NBA arenas. Russo also directs NBA design and development interests internationally, focusing on the creation of NBA branded destinations and the development of NBA-style arenas globally including those in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, China. Russo was also instrumental in the formation of NBA China, Ltd.

Prior to joining the NBA, Russo worked for New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in the Mayor’s Office of Construction, where he played a significant role in the formation of New York City’s Department of Design and Construction. Russo began his career with the Turner Construction Company in New York City, where, among other projects, he was instrumental in the reconstruction of the World Trade Center after the 1993 bombing, and was a recipient of the World Trade Center Award for Exceptional Service.

A graduate of Utica College of Syracuse University with a degree in construction management, Chris currently resides on Long Island, N.Y., with his wife, Carleen and their two daughters, Anna and Victoria.