Rick Welts is the first NBA executive to come out, who did so publicly in a tell-all, front-page interview with The New York Times in May. Now, the former Phoenix Suns president and chief executive officer has called quits on his post to pursue other interests. But Welts isn’t worried – according to an interview with Advocate.com, the beloved gay NBA exec has many opportunities awaiting at his discretion, a privilege he acknowledges and appreciates with gratitude.
“I probably have had more job offers in the last five months than I ever have in my life from the most unexpected places, people who actually found me a more interesting candidate because of what I had chosen to do,” Welts told Advocate.com. “It’s been overwhelmingly positive from my team, our players, our ownership, our employees.”
Welts was honored at the U.S. Open in New York City for his contributions to diversity and openness to sharing his homosexuality to the public, an effort that has been applauded by much of the NBA organization including coaches, players, and other NBA executives.
Welts expressed interest in working with the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, who will honor the NBA exec next month.
“It’s been humbling, it’s been a little bit overwhelming, but in a very good way,” he said. “I think for me the challenge is kind of where from here, what do I do with this. I can’t tell you I have the answer to that.”
Welts explained that acceptance of gay players within professional sports will happen eventually, although he was candid in explaining its difficulty.
“We have, especially in men’s team sports, great difficulty even having the discussion,” said Welts. “All these events that have transpired, good or bad, I think have heightened both the volume and the level of discussion to a place it’s never really been before, and I think inevitably that’s going, as we look back, to be viewed as a really important time.”
