Eric Spoelstra may be the most visible of the Miami Heat's boy wonders, but he's no longer alone at the top: the 30-year-old son of Miami Heat owner Micky Arison has been named the team's chief executive offer, the team announced Friday.
The newly-created position gives former vice president of basketball operations Nick Arison day-to-day control of the franchise, the latest promotion in a career that began as a team attendant 16 years ago.
"This is something Nick has been working towards his whole life," said the elder Arison, who bought the team's controlling share in 1995 and spoke of his "utmost confidence" in his son. "He's more prepared for this job than I was at his age when I became CEO of Carnival [Cruise Lines].
Nick Arison's resume also includes a four-year stint as a student manager at Duke University and operations management for USA Basketball during events including the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. He was also a member of Miami's recruiting team last summer when the Heat acquired LeBron James and Chris Bosh and re-signed Dwyane Wade.
The Heat confirmed that Mickey Arison will remain Managing General Partner and retain his spot with the NBA Board of Governors. His son will report to him directly.
"I'm very excited and thankful for this opportunity and look forward to a seamless transition in my new position," Nick Arison said.
The younger Arison isn't the only relatively young but longtime employee to rise through the Miami Heat: head coach Eric Spoelstra joined the franchise as video coordinator in 1995.
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No other changes to Miami's operation or organizational structure were announced. Team president Pat Riley said in a statement released by the Heat the Arison "has earned" his new role.
"The Miami Heat is truly a family organization and that is what makes it a desirable franchise to work for," Riley said. "The Heat are the Arisons. Like his grandfather Ted and father Micky, Nick is an extraordinary, special young man and will serve the Heat in a highly professional manner as those men did...he has earned it."
