The Chicago Bulls took another step toward transforming the organization’s front office structure by reaching an agreement with Marc Eversley to be general manager.
Here’s a look at how the Chicago Bulls made history by naming an African American for the first time as the organization’s general manager and why it matters.
Marc Eversley, formerly an assistant general manager for the Philadelphia 76ers, will assume the position vacated by Gar Forman. The announcement comes on the heels of a search performed by Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas.
As it’s been widely reported, Karnisovas had plans to select a person of color to be GM. It became official when the Bulls and Eversley reached an agreement.
Among those considered for the job were Michael Finley of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Hughes of the Los Angeles Clippers, Troy Weaver of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Calvin Booth of the Denver Nuggets, and Matt Lloyd of the Orlando Magic.
It remains unclear if Finley and Weaver had interest in the job. The Bulls were waiting to be granted permission to allow them to participate in the interview process. The rest of the candidates eyed as potential targets for the job had interviews earlier this month.
The Bulls ultimately decided to move ahead with naming Eversley as general manager, which some are giving the organization praise for.
Why, you ask?
Eversley, who has worked for both the Washington Wizards and the Toronto Raptors, will bring a plethora of experience to the Bulls front office. He has a reputation around the league for his scouting prowess and keen ability to build relationships with players from all around the world. Before making his mark in the NBA, Eversley spent 10 years working for Nike.
The experience that Eversley brings to the table could go a long way toward helping the Bulls to modernize the front office structure to today’s standards. For so long, the Bulls have employed a dated front office structure, and it has failed the organization time and time again in recent years.
Modern NBA front offices tend to be more reflective of the players and the fanbase. With the hiring of Eversley, the Bulls appear to be making it happen.
Some may call into question if having a diverse front office matters when a franchise is trying to build a winning culture. I don’t fully disagree with that line of thinking.
However, the color of a persons skin shouldn’t matter in hiring decisions, but it does occur and it certainly can help broaden the communal pool of perspective that an organization can tap into. After all, if everyone in an office shares the same experiences, abilities and knowledge, where’s the agent for change?
It would be insanity for the Bulls to continue allowing the mistakes of years past to haunt the organization.
The hope is that as long as the Bulls are embracing diversity, the organization is doing it for the right reason and that is to build a winning culture, which is inclusive of all.