Overview
- Yao Williams II, who was named Tuesday, will oversee partnership sales, business solutions and activation to create revenue-generating programs and boost the Lakers’ brand value.
- Williams brings about two decades of experience at the NBA, Manchester City and Elevate Sports Ventures and holds degrees from Miami University and Cleveland State University.
- The move is the latest step in a front-office rebuild under majority owner Mark Walter that has included new business and strategy hires and recent layoffs in marketing and partnerships.
- The franchise still plans to hire one additional assistant general manager focused on draft, scouting and player development as it reshapes basketball operations.
- Recruiting an executive with global-deal experience reflects a broader industry trend of hiring partners from leagues, top clubs and agencies to scale sponsorships and enable closer commercial alignment between the Lakers and the Dodgers.