Los Angeles Sparks Name Leading Industry Executive Karen Bryant Chief Administrative Officer & General Manager

January 3, 2023

Bryant brings 25 years of experience to role

LOS ANGELES (Jan. 3, 2023) – Los Angeles Sparks Owner and Managing Partner Eric Holoman announced today the appointment of Karen Bryant to the role of Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager. Bryant will oversee both business and basketball operations for the three-time WNBA champions.

Bryant has served in executive leadership roles within the sports industry for over 25 years, including a 15-year tenure with the Seattle Storm where she served as Chief Operating Officer for six years before holding the position of President and Chief Executive Officer for her final seven years with the team. Under her guidance, she led the Storm through a successful transition from affiliation with the NBA Seattle SuperSonics and spearheaded a growth in revenues including securing the Storm’s first jersey partnership. During her tenure, the franchise also won two WNBA championships in 2004 and 2010. Bryant’s extensive sports management experience began when she was named General Manager of the ABL’s Seattle Reign in 1998 at the age of 30.

“Karen Bryant is a talented and veteran sports executive with a track record of building successful organizations from top to bottom,” Holoman said. “Since joining the Sparks, she has established a bold vision and a strong foundation for long-term growth throughout the franchise. I’m confident her executive leadership, in partnership with Head Coach Curt Miller and President Vanessa Shay, will lead to sustainable success on and off the court.”

After a successful run with the Storm, Bryant co-founded KB2 Sports, an advisory company focused on growing and advancing women’s sports. Bryant was hired by the Sparks in 2021 as a strategic advisor before taking on the role of Interim President, Business Operations. In her time with Los Angeles, she led the search to hire current President Vanessa Shay and two-time Coach of the Year Curt Miller. In addition, she closed a jersey patch sponsorship with UCLA Health, making them the official healthcare partner of the Sparks.

“I’m honored to take on the responsibility of Chief Administrative Officer & General Manager,” Bryant said. “I’m really excited to partner with Curt, Vanessa and the rest of our team to usher in a new era of Sparks Basketball.  We are committed to building a culture and organization that is representative of the incredible legacy this franchise carries. I want to thank Eric Holoman and our ownership group for this opportunity and their continued investment in the Sparks and the WNBA.”

Ahead of the 2023 free agency period, Sparks CAO & GM Karen Bryant and Head Coach Curt Miller will be available to the media with a virtual press conference on Jan. 4.

More details will be released following this announcement.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES SPARKS

Founded in 1996, the Los Angeles Sparks are one of three original franchises in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Sparks have won three WNBA Championships (2001, 2002, 2016), have qualified for the playoffs in 20 of their 26 seasons and remain the only active team in the league to win back-to-back titles. The Los Angeles Sparks are dedicated to ensuring each home game at Crypto.com Arena has a championship level entertainment experience while showcasing the best female athletes from around the world on the court. LA Sparks 2023 season tickets are available here for purchase.