Chris Pongrass to step down as Hoops Capital CEO
CEO Chris Pongrass has informed the Hoops Capital ownership group of his decision to step down from his position after seven years of transformative leadership.
Under Pongrass’ stewardship, Hoops Capital has experienced unprecedented growth and success.
His tenure is highlighted by back-to-back NBL championships for the Sydney Kings (2021-22 and 2022-23), the revitalisation of the Sydney Flames in the WNBL, and the expansion of the organisation’s footprint in Australian basketball.
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Pongrass will continue in his current role for the next six months, assisting ownership to find a suitable successor and to ensure a successful runway in NBL26 with a smooth transition for the new leadership team.
“Chris has been instrumental in elevating Hoops Capital to the organisation it is today,” said Robyn Denholm, majority owner of Hoops Capital.
“His vision and dedication have not only brought championships but have also solidified our position as a leading force in Australian basketball.”
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Pongrass, who has loved his time at Hoops Capital, took this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the club.
“I am truly privileged to have had the opportunity to lead this organisation for the past six seasons and be part of the journey that brought two NBL championships to our fans and city – I will always be proud of what we have built both on and off the court,” Pongrass said.
“I thank our ownership group – Robyn, Matthew, Victoria, Paul, Paul, Luc and Andrew – for entrusting me to develop our basketball program and for their unwavering guidance and support.
“Our success has always been built around people, so to our players, coaches, staff and especially our members, I am grateful for each of you who contributed to making the organisation what it is today.
“This was not an easy decision for me to make and comes with mixed emotions – however, the time feels right for me personally to pass the torch to the next steward to lead the success of the Kings and Flames.”
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Hoops Capital, the parent company of the Sydney Kings and Sydney Flames, will now commence an executive search for a new chief executive officer (CEO) and general manager (GM) of Basketball.
The search for the new CEO and GM of Basketball will be conducted by Elevate Talent, aiming to identify leaders who can build upon the strong foundation laid by Pongrass and drive the organisation into its next chapter of success.
“We are looking for visionary leaders with strong commercial acumen, deep sporting passion, and the ability to connect with our community,” Denholm said.
“Leading Hoops Capital is a rare opportunity to shape the future of an elite sporting organisation at the heart of one of the world’s greatest cities.”
Hoops Capital remains committed to its mission of fostering excellence in basketball and looks forward to welcoming new leadership that will continue to uphold the organisation’s values and drive future achievements.