The latest phase in the New York Liberty’s ownership transition was complete when the organization announced that it had hired Jonathan Kolb to serve as its new general manager.
Updated #WNBA GMs for 2019:
LVA: Bill Laimbeer
NYL: Jonathan Kolb
IND: Pokey Chatman
CHI: James Wade
DAL: Greg Bibb
MIN: Cheryl Reeve
LAS: Penny Toler
PHX: Jim Pitman
CON: Curt Miller
WAS: Mike Thibault
ATL: Chris Sienko
SEA: Alisha Valavanis#WNBAFreeAgency #WNBAOffseason https://t.co/UJZNNaEA7c— The Sky Show CHI (@TheSkyShowCHI) March 14, 2019
Kolb is assuming his new role in New York after working for five years in the WNBA’s league office. He most recently was the W’s Director of Basketball Strategy and Analytics. Kolb is an Arizona native with a Justice Studies, Business, and Political Science degree from Arizona State University.
This is a tremendous hire of a great person, great basketball mind, and one of the hardest working people I know. Congrats to my friend @jonathankolb and the @nyliberty. https://t.co/07dVeCXpMa
— Vince Kozar (@MercuryCOO) March 15, 2019
His basketball IQ, passion, and development ideas illustrate why he will be successful in this role and help lead the team into its next chapter of success.
–Oliver P. Weisberg, Alternate Governor, New York Liberty (per press release)
I am both excited and honored to be joining such an iconic franchise where we will be relentless in our efforts to deliver a WNBA championship to New York.
–Jonathan Kolb, general manager, New York Liberty (per press release)
As mentioned in the tweet above, the Liberty now join the Dallas Wings, Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, Atlanta Dream, and Seattle Storm as teams who have a general manager who is not also serving in a head coaching role. It is another indication that the new ownership group is investing real money necessary into recapturing the Liberty’s success.
