October 15, 2024
Boston Celtics president Rich Gotham ’86 discusses the business of sports
By Michael Hagan ’15, ’19G
In basketball and in life, “it’s character that wins,” Rich Gotham ’86, president of the Boston Celtics, told more than 400 students, faculty, and members of the Providence College community gathered for the annual School of Business Dean’s Symposium.
Gotham joined women’s basketball coach Erin Batth, men’s basketball coach Kim English, and athletic director Steve Napolillo ’98 for a panel discussion in the Palmisano Atrium of the Ryan Center for Business Studies on Wednesday, October 9.
Gotham, who concluded nine years of service on the college’s Board of Trustees in June, earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from PC and was an internet technology executive before joining the Celtics organization as vice president in 2003. He was named president in 2007.
In Gotham’s 22 years with the organization, the Celtics have made 19 playoff appearances and competed in nine conference and four NBA finals. They won NBA Championships in 2008 and 2024.
“To be able to say that the president of the world champion Boston Celtics is a Friar is something everybody here is fired up about,” Napolillo said.
“Eighteen-time world champion Boston Celtics,” Gotham added, prompting applause from the audience.
Gotham described how when he was a student, sports was not as developed an industry as it is today. To work in sports meant to play or to coach. Today, three decades later, Gotham speaks to dozens of undergraduates each year about business careers in professional sports.
Next fall, PC will introduce a fully online master’s degree in sports administration program.
Steve Napolillo ’98, vice president and director of athletics; and College President Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P. ’78, ’82G.
Athletics “is a great opportunity for business students and even non-business students to pursue a career in something they are passionate about,” Gotham said.
“But just being a big sports fan is not really a job qualification. It’s easy to fall in love with sports. We’re not all going to have careers as pro athletes and coaches like Kim English and Erin Batth. So there’s a lot for the rest of us to figure out. Do you want to be on the sports side of sports or the business side of sports? Do you want to be in front of or behind the camera? Do you want to work in sales, marketing, finance, legal, social media, digital content, or community relations?”
Gotham described how beginning a career in any part of the sports industry is difficult and requires sacrifice. English described his own early career challenges as formative and necessary for future success.
“I remember being dead broke in college and waking up in the morning to go to the gym because I thought basketball was going to be my only way of making it,” said English, who played for the University of Missouri Tigers and was named Most Outstanding Player in the Big 12 Conference Tournament as a senior.
The panelists commented on the changes in college athletics brought by the Supreme Court ruling that NCAA athletes can be compensated for use of Name, Image, and Likeness. The Friar Family Collective is endorsed by PC to help student-athletes find endorsement and compensation opportunities.
“We witnessed the 2024 BIG EAST Player of the Year making far less than other great players around the country,” English said, referring to Friars guard Devin Carter. “He was the 13th pick in the NBA Draft and is making a lot of money now.”
“Having a lot of money can distract from what really matters in this era of your career — your education, your hunger, your mindset, your desire to get to the next level where the money is great and generational and can transform your life,” English said.
“I pride myself on my relationships as a coach. These 16 women are like my children. It is a blessing for me,” Batth said. “You cannot come (to PC) just for the money. This place is too special.”
Gotham described how prioritizing character and integrity “can be a tough place to be when you’re in the talent business.”
“These people are the best in the world at what they do, but not everyone is going to meet character standards. You can’t lose your north star. I make a lot of decisions in my job, resolving things that other people in the organization couldn’t resolve. You need people around you can look up to,” English said.
For Gotham, one of those people has been Celtics general manager Brad Stevens, who joined the organization as head coach in 2013 after coaching the Butler University Bulldogs men’s basketball team to NCAA National Championship game appearances in 2010 and 2011
For English, they are “people who remind me of Jesus.” He looks for “humility and grace, honor and kindness, the courage to stand up for what you believe is right.”
English described a recent practice when Friars guard Jayden Pierre ’26 challenged him, insisting on one of English’s own rules for practice that the coach had overlooked.
“That was righteous. It needed to happen. It was one of my favorite moments in coaching. Jayden Pierre is someone I look up to, and he’s 20 years old,” English said.
“I want our players to leave Providence College and want to come back like Rich comes back. I want them to be good citizens. I want them to be leaders,” Batth said.
The panelists spoke to the role fans play in program success.
“We’re going to make you proud. Our players want to play for you. Come out and see us. We’ll get it done,” Batth said.
Christine Earley, Ph.D., interim dean of the School of Business and professor of accountancy, convened the symposium. Jenna Cobb ’24, ’25G, who studied marketing and is studying for an MBA, introduced the panelists. The symposium concluded with a reception in the atrium.
