Per a press release from the company, Independent Sports & Entertainment (ISE) has named Hall of Fame basketball player and former NBA Executive of the Year Joe Dumars as president of ISE Basketball. Dumars brings nearly three decades of NBA experience as a player and front office executive to the agency.
As President of ISE Basketball, Dumars will oversee all aspects of the basketball representation business with a focus on growth and providing clients best in class service at every stage of their career both on and off the court.
“Joe’s arrival at ISE marks the tone for the future of our basketball practice and business,” said ISE President and CEO Hank Ratner. “He’s experienced on both sides of the negotiating table, has served as a role model and mentor for players at all levels and understands the preparation and dedication required to excel as a player and then make a successful post-career transition. A decorated NBA player and front office executive with relationships across the globe and an impeccable reputation as a leader and man of great integrity, we are proud to have Joe join ISE.”
After launching in June 2016 as the rebrand of Relativity Sports, ISE has experienced rapid growth and now represents more than 300 MLB, NBA and NFL athletes. Dumars joins a leadership group that includes ISE Football co-presidents Doug Hendrickson and Roosevelt Barnes and ISE Baseball CEO Mark Pieper and President Fernando Cuza.
Dumars comes to the other side of the basketball business after serving as the president of basketball operations for the Detroit Pistons for 13 seasons. The success of the Pistons in the early 2000’s lead to him being named NBA Executive of the Year in 2003. Additionally, he was named one of the Top 10 sports executives of the past decade by Sports Illustrated in 2010. His very successful administrative career mirrors his celebrated 14-year playing career which includes a 1994 gold-medal with USA Basketball, NBA Finals MVP and six All-Star games among many more accolades.
Off the court, Dumars founded Detroit Technologies Inc., an automotive supply company. He served as the CEO for 10 years old, helping the company grow to more than $120 million in sales. He also founded and owns the Joe Dumars’ Fieldhouse, a multi-purpose, indoor sports complex and entertainment facility in Detroit.
“I look forward to beginning this new chapter in my career with ISE. It has always been an honor and immense pleasure to work closely with players to help guide them in all stages of their careers and this position will allow me to step into this role in a longer term and much more impactful and meaningful way,” said Dumars. “I know that Ron Brukle and Hank Ratner are committed to doing things first class and together we will continue to build a strong culture at ISE aligned around providing the very best for our clients.”