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NEW ORLEANS – Today, Gayle Benson, the Governor of the New Orleans Pelicans, announced the appointment of Joe Dumars as the team’s Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, effective April 21.
Dumars comes with over 30 years of extensive experience, having established an illustrious career as a Hall of Fame player, NBA champion, and notable executive within the league and at the team level. Most recently, he served as the Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations at the NBA league office from 2022 to 2025, where he managed all aspects of basketball operations, including the enforcement of game rules and regulations, player conduct and discipline, as well as game operation policies.
“Joe’s remarkable legacy as a Hall of Fame player, an NBA champion, and a seasoned front office executive cannot be denied,” Benson stated. “I hold immense respect for his past accomplishments both as a player and in executive roles. More significantly, I value his character and leadership qualities. His extensive experience and established relationships throughout the NBA, along with his strong leadership abilities, will significantly enhance our organization’s pursuit of an NBA championship. During his tenure at the league office, he gained unparalleled insights into basketball operations that will be immensely beneficial as we move forward. I am thrilled to welcome Joe, along with his wife Debbie and their children Jordan and Aren, to the Pelicans family.”
“I want to express my gratitude to Mrs. Benson for the privilege of leading the Pelicans’ basketball operations,” Dumars said. “Being a Louisiana native, this opportunity feels like a full-circle moment for me. I grew up cheering for the Saints, and my first AAU basketball team at age 16 was based in New Orleans. Thus, this role holds special meaning for me. I’m excited to join the Pelicans organization and to help create a team that our fans can stand behind both on the court and in the community.”
Dumars continued, “There’s a wealth of talent on this roster. My vision is to cultivate a disciplined squad founded on resilience, smart decision-making, and a no-excuses attitude. Proudly hailing from Louisiana, I know how passionate and tenacious our community is. Our fans deserve a team that embodies those qualities, and these will be the cornerstones of our team culture.”
Before joining the league office, Dumars spent three seasons in the Sacramento Kings’ front office from 2019 to 2022.
Reflecting on the previous season, Benson noted, “As I evaluated how to advance this organization, I considered what kind of leadership is necessary. Having known Joe from our interactions in league meetings, I was confident in my decision to bring him on board. This choice was made thoughtfully, following valuable conversations with players, coaches, and league officials. Their feedback was instrumental. I am eager to provide all possible resources, as I have done in the past, to guide us back to winning.”
Dumars began his executive journey with the Detroit Pistons, where he spent 15 seasons in their front office, including the last 14 as President of Basketball Operations. Under his stewardship, the Pistons secured an NBA championship in 2004, made six consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference Finals, and achieved over 50 wins for seven straight seasons. Dumars was named NBA Basketball Executive of the Year for the 2002-03 season.
Prior to his front office role, Dumars had an illustrious 14-year playing career with the Detroit Pistons, who selected him in the first round of the 1985 NBA Draft. A six-time NBA All-Star, three-time All-NBA Team member, and five-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection, he played a crucial role in the Pistons winning back-to-back championships in 1989 and 1990, earning Finals MVP honors in 1989. On the international stage, he achieved a gold medal with USA Basketball at the 1994 FIBA Basketball World Cup and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
The NBA Sportsmanship Award is named in his honor, with the Joe Dumars Trophy awarded annually to the NBA player exemplifying the highest ideals of sportsmanship. Dumars was the inaugural recipient of this award and also received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his exemplary service to the community.
In addition to his achievements as an NBA player and executive, Dumars held the position of President of the Basketball Division for Independent Sports & Entertainment, a comprehensive sports, media, and entertainment management company, from 2017 to 2019. He is also the founder of Detroit Technologies Inc., an automotive supply company, and Joe Dumars Fieldhouse, a sports and entertainment complex with two locations in the Detroit area.
Originally from Natchitoches, Louisiana, Dumars earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from McNeese State University, where he was named All-Southland Conference First Team four times. He is also a member of the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
