Susan O’Malley established herself as a marketer, then graduated to something bigger: the first female president of an NBA franchise.
“I’m living proof that you can be anything you want to be,” O’Malley said.
Now, she’s choosing to go in another direction.
O’Malley will leave Washington Sports and Entertainment when her contract ends June 30, ending a 20-year association with the Wizards/Bullets.
“It was hard,” O’Malley said. “I’m very close to the Pollins; I’ve worked here my whole adult life. At the same time, I knew it was the right thing to do.
“I’ve been doing it for so long and felt like we got to the point where the franchise was in great shape. I don’t feel like I’m being disloyal walking away now. I felt like the job is done here and I wanted to try something else with the second half of my life.”
O’Malley, 45, graduated from Georgetown Law School in May and said she’ll decide what she wants to do next after a vacation. She will remain as an adviser through the celebration of the Verizon Center’s 10-year anniversary in December. She’ll also help Abe Pollin, Washington Sports and Entertainment Chairman, as well as Wizards owner, to choose her successor. And, she said, she’ll find time to attend games of her beloved Red Sox this summer; she’s a season-ticket holder.
O’Malley became the first female president of an NBA franchise when she took over the then-Washington Bullets in May of1991. She headed the business operations for the Capitals from 1995-1999.
“I always hoped not to do a bad job because I didn’t want to slow down the process for other women,” she said. “I don’t think I hurt it.”
O’Malley’s marketing ideas helped boost attendance for the once-struggling Wizards.
“Susan has been my right hand through the past 20 years and has helped guide the fortunes of our company,” Pollin said in a statement. “She has simply been fantastic in every way, from the moment she came here to the present, and I will always be thankful for her guidance and leadership. I wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors.”
Draft notes
The Wizards will work out Oregon’s Aaron Brooks, Cal State Fullerton’s Bobby Brown, Texas Tech’s Jarrius Jackson and Virginia’s J.R. Reynolds in preparation for the June 28 draft. Washington holds the 16th and 47th picks. Also, forward Caron Butler is hosting a basketball camp at McNamara High School through Friday for kids ages 8-16.
