Among the many things we stan within the WNBA community are a #BossLady and #BlackGirlMagic.
There have been many names throughout the history of the New York Liberty, the W’s flagship franchise, that are synonymous with said franchise. Rebecca Lobo, Teresa Weatherspoon, Tina Charles and now Sabrina Ionescu.
From a front office perspective, Keia Clarke has to be in that conversation as well and the new Joe Tsai/Brooklyn Nets investment group that has ownership of the team gave Clarke a major promotion by announcing that she would become the Liberty’s Chief Executive Officer.
We have an opportunity to bring world-class basketball to fans, starting with games at the Barclays Center that will enable a fan experience no one has seen in the WNBA.
–Keia Clarke, New York Liberty CEO (press release)
The league is at a key inflection point and I look forward to playing a part in elevating professional women’s basketball to national prominence.
–Keia Clarke, New York Liberty CEO (press release)
Clarke assumes the new role at Atlantic and Flatbush after a 10-year tenure as New York’s Chief Operating Officer.
Y’all. @nyliberty’s Keia Clarke just moved from COO to CEO of the team. If that ain’t aspirational, idk what is. We stan a queen with no ceiling!
— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) July 23, 2020
These qualities, plus her unassuming leadership style, will take our Liberty franchise to the next level.
–Joe Tsai, New York Liberty owner (press release)
I look forward to working with her to raise the profile of the Liberty and contribute to growing the WNBA.
–Clara Wu Tsai (press release)
The Liberty release credited Clarke with planning the team’s move from Westchester County Center in White Plains to an “NBA-quality arena” – Barclays Center in Brooklyn – as well as expanding the team’s regional television reach via its deal with YES Network. She is also a member of the WNBA’s Social Justice Council.
Liberty CEO Keia Clarke is among five Black women holding high-ranking front office positions in the W.
Tamika Catchings (Fever), Danita Johnson & Natalie White (Sparks), and Sheila Johnson (Mystics) are the others. https://t.co/7ugbp67qYX
— Tamryn Spruill (@tamrynspruill) July 23, 2020
