Kathy Behrens began her journey in high school basketball during a period when New York had not yet established a championship for girls. Her early career took place in a time before the women’s basketball gained the widespread recognition it enjoys today, and long before the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) was even conceived.
Despite these challenges, basketball evolved into her lifelong passion and profession.
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After an impressive 26-year tenure with the NBA, Behrens, who currently serves as the President of Social Responsibility and Player Programs, has announced her departure from the league office. Her colleagues were informed of her decision on Tuesday, with plans for her to leave by the end of the year.
“Last year I celebrated my 25th year at the NBA and my kids went off to college,” Behrens remarked in an interview with The Associated Press. “I’ve spent the last year thinking about how hard it is to leave because it has been an incredible experience. The work is meaningful, and I love the people I work with. But I’ve just started to think that it’s time to do some other things. It’s that time.”
Among her many contributions, Behrens played a pivotal role in developing the NBA Cares program, a cornerstone of the league’s community outreach initiatives. She also oversaw the formation of the NBA Foundation and the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition during the pandemic, highlighting her dedication to social responsibility.
In a memo to staff, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Behrens for her extraordinary career within the league. “Kathy has supported generations of players in navigating the demands of their careers, developing interests beyond basketball, and preparing for life after the game,” he stated. “Throughout her career, Kathy has been a trusted colleague and friend and a passionate advocate for basketball’s ability to improve lives, and I am deeply grateful for everything Kathy has done for our leagues.”
Behrens’ background includes a college education at the University of Hartford, where she played both tennis and basketball. She studied education while cultivating a keen interest in politics, eventually serving as president of the school’s student government. Initially, she envisioned a career in politics.
Post-graduation, Behrens worked as a fundraiser for the United Way in New York and later joined Governor Mario Cuomo’s administration, where she served for over six years. Following Cuomo’s unsuccessful bid for a fourth term in 1994, she sought new challenges and became the executive director of New York Cares. In 1998, this organization collaborated with the NBA for events related to that year’s All-Star Game in New York, leading to her eventual position in the league office.
“To me, David [Stern] was sort of like the Mario Cuomo of the sports world,” Behrens reflected. Her final interview with Stern, Silver, and then-deputy commissioner Russ Granik left a lasting impression on her, marking the beginning of her deep connection to the game.
The name “NBA Cares” was inspired by her previous employer, New York Cares. Initially hesitant about the name’s similarity, Behrens ultimately embraced it, and the program was officially launched in 2005. Since then, NBA personnel have dedicated over 6.5 million hours to various causes and raised hundreds of millions of dollars for organizations in need.
“It made sense and it clicked,” Behrens said. “We launched it, and the enduring legacy of that is something I’m incredibly proud of.”
Deciding to step away from the NBA was not a simple choice for Behrens. For years, she and Dan Rube, one of the league’s executive vice presidents, have shared a tradition of reflecting on their good fortune at NBA Finals games. “It was a gift, and it makes it hard to leave,” Behrens acknowledged. “But it’s time to give the gift to other people.”
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