Gillian Zucker takes job with NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers
The Los Angeles Clippers today announced Gillian Zucker as the club’s new President of Business Operations. A sports industry veteran who was named one of the top five most powerful women in motorsports by MSN and FOX, Zucker comes to the Clippers after spending nine years as the President of Auto Club Speedway, the largest race track on the West Coast.
***Zucker and Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer will be available to the media at 11:15 am PT at STAPLES Center on Saturday, Nov. 8 prior to the Clippers game against the Portland Trail Blazers. **
“I am extremely happy to add a leader like Gillian to our team," Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer said. “Her clear and creative business vision, innovative approach to marketing and experience working in the Los Angeles sports market make her the perfect fit to lead the Clippers during this transcendent time."
“What an exciting time to be part of the L.A. Clippers," said Zucker. “There’s something special happening in this organization that has captured the attention of Los Angeles, the NBA and the nation. Steve Ballmer’s energy and enthusiasm is contagious and inspiring. We are just getting started."
Zucker was named President of Auto Club Speedway in June 2005 and led all aspects of the Speedway’s business – including operations, ticketing, finance, communications and marketing. In addition, she served on the International Speedway Corporation executive management team and oversaw Chicagoland and Kansas Speedways.
She was successful in repackaging NASCAR to appeal to a Southern California audience and developed the Auto Club Speedway into an industry leader in diversity of audience. Zucker‘s innovations included a wide-ranging capital improvement plan, improved traffic and parking management, and completion of the only current naming rights track agreement in the sport in 2008.
Prior to her time at Auto Club Speedway, Zucker served as Daytona International Speedway’s Vice President of Business and Development. She joined International Speedway Corporation (ISC), the owner of Auto Club Speedway, in 1998 as Director of Business Development for Kansas Speedway and was shortly promoted to Vice President of Operational Development.
Before joining ISC, Zucker worked in Minor League Baseball, serving as Assistant General Manager of the Durham (NC) Bulls. A graduate of Hamilton College, Zucker serves on the board of the California Chamber. She was appointed by the Governor to the California Travel and Tourism Commission, and also serves at the request of Mayor Eric Garcetti, as a Los Angeles Convention Center Commissioner. Other board roles include the Los Angeles Sports Council, the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission Advisory Board, Young Presidents Organization and the Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Foundation.
***Zucker and Clippers Owner Steve Ballmer will be available to the media at 11:15 am PT at STAPLES Center on Saturday, Nov. 8 prior to the Clippers game against the Portland Trail Blazers. ***