Aces two-time executive of the year hired away from team
Reigning two-time WNBA Executive of the Year Dan Padover is leaving the Aces to join the Atlanta Dream’s front office.
Padover, who served as the Aces general manager of basketball operations, will assume a similar role with the Dream as they name him general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations, the team announced Monday.
“We set out to create a leadership group with experience building winning teams underpinned by a values-based culture,” Larry Gottesdiener, owner and chairman of the Dream, said in a statement. “Dan is one of the most well-respected executives in the WNBA with a track record that speaks for itself.”
Padover worked for the WNBA’s New York Liberty before being hired by the Aces in December 2018. He’d also worked previously for the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and the Rutgers University women’s basketball program.
The Aces had the WNBA’s best record in 2020 and the second-best record this past season. The Aces went on to lose in the WNBA Finals to the Seattle Storm in 2020 and were knocked out of the playoffs this past season in Game 5 of their semifinal matchup with the Phoenix Mercury.
Aces president Nikki Fargas expressed her gratitude for the work Padover carried out during this tenure with the team, but didn’t note if a search for his replacement was yet underway.
“Dan was instrumental in the success of the Las Vegas Aces franchise,” Fargas said in a text message to the Review-Journal. “He did a tremendous job to position the Aces to compete for championships. With this next chapter for Dan, we wish he and his family the best.”
Padover’s hiring comes as the Dream finalize rebuilding their staff following new ownership buying the team in February.
“To build an organization from the ground up with new ownership and new leadership in a top-ten market like Atlanta is such a unique and exciting opportunity,” Padover said in a statement. “My ultimate goal is to help create a model WNBA franchise and bring a championship to the city. Rebuilds don’t happen overnight, but this organization is now uniquely positioned to create a winning culture.”
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.
