Dave Checketts is a former basketball executive who has had a successful career in the sport. He began his career as a ball boy for the Utah Stars of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and later worked as a public relations director for the Utah Jazz. In 1986, he became the president of the NBA's New York Knicks, where he oversaw the team's rise to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Checketts was known for his ability to build winning teams and his business acumen. He was instrumental in bringing star players like Patrick Ewing and Charles Oakley to the Knicks, and he also helped to secure the team's home at Madison Square Garden. Under his leadership, the Knicks made it to the NBA Finals twice and became one of the most successful franchises in the league.

After leaving the Knicks in 1996, Checketts went on to work for several other NBA teams, including the Utah Jazz and the St. Louis Blues. He also founded his own sports management company, SCP Worldwide, which owned several professional sports teams and managed major sporting events like the Tour de France.

Throughout his career, Checketts was known for his innovative approach to sports management. He was one of the first executives to recognize the importance of branding and marketing in sports, and he was instrumental in developing the NBA's global brand. He also pioneered the use of luxury suites and other premium seating options in sports arenas, which became a major source of revenue for teams.

Checketts was widely respected in the sports world for his leadership and vision. He was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2016 and was named one of the 50 most influential people in sports business by SportsBusiness Journal in 2010. Today, he continues to be involved in sports management and is a sought-after speaker and consultant in the industry.

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