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NBA names Leon Newsome Senior Vice President, Chief Security Officer

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The National Basketball Association (NBA) announced that Leon Newsome, the Deputy Director of the U.S. Secret Service, has been named Senior Vice President, Chief Security Officer. Newsome will oversee all aspects of security operations for the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, NBA 2K League and soon-to-launch Basketball Africa League as well as the NBA’s 15 offices worldwide. He will join the NBA on March 15 and report to President, Administration Bob Criqui.

Newsome has 28 years of experience with the Secret Service, rising to Deputy Director in August 2019. As Deputy Director, he oversaw the daily investigative and protective operations of an agency with more than 7,000 employees globally. He also implemented emerging protective technologies and led the Secret Service’s public and private partnerships on issues directly impacting national security.

Newsome previously held other senior management positions within the Secret Service, where his responsibilities included leading the investigative efforts for all domestic and international offices and overseeing the multiagency coordination of numerous National Special Security Events.

“Leon is an extraordinarily accomplished security professional and leader and we are grateful to welcome him to the NBA,” said Criqui. “His vast experience with the Secret Service on a global basis will be an enormous benefit to our fans, players, teams and staff.”

“I want to thank Commissioner Adam Silver, Bob Criqui and the entire National Basketball Association family for giving me the opportunity to join such an outstanding organization,” said Newsome. “While I will miss the daily interaction with the dedicated men and women of the Secret Service, I look forward to getting started and working alongside the members of the NBA Security group.”

A Baltimore native, Newsome earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Princeton University. He also graduated from the Key Executive Leadership Program at American University.