New Delhi: The National Basketball Association (NBA) on Wednesday announced that it has appointed Rajesh Sethi as managing director of NBA India effective 12 September. He will report to NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Mark Tatum.
In the new role, Sethi will oversee the league’s basketball and business development initiatives in India and will be supported by the region’s senior leadership team.
"Rajesh’s extensive experience in the media and broadcast industry combined with his leadership and management abilities make him the ideal person to lead our efforts in India," said Tatum. “We look forward to working with Rajesh to help take basketball and the NBA to new heights in India at a time when the game has never been more popular across the country."
An accomplished media and technology executive with more than 20 years of experience in leading and managing global brands, most recently Sethi was with the Essel Group where he held various leadership roles with the group’s entities, including SITI Networks, Zee Entertainment and Ten Sports. Since 2017, he has been the chief business transformation officer of cable television systems operators SITI Networks.
Prior to that, he was the CEO of distribution and sports business at Zee Entertainment. Additionally, he was the CEO of Ten Sports, a subsidiary of Zee Entertainment, where he oversaw the global sports broadcasters’ sports channels.
Earlier in his career, Sethi was the CEO and region director for South East Asia of Allianz Global, a specialty insurance provider, and held executive roles with General Electric in India and Tata Motors.
“I am thrilled to join the NBA at such an exciting time," said Sethi. “The league has done a wonderful job of growing its presence in India, and I look forward to working with all our partners and colleagues here as we explore new ways to increase basketball participation and engagement."
Sethi holds a Professional Diploma from All India Management Association in New Delhi, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in New Delhi, and a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from University of Bangalore.
