Heat governor Micky Arison unanimously elected next Chairman of the NBA Board of Governors

Micky Arison is taking on a familiar role within the league once again. The long-time Miami Heat governor has been unanimously elected as the next Chairman of the NBA Board of Governors, according to the league sources.

The position places Arison at the head of the league’s most powerful ownership body, which oversees major decisions across the NBA.

This marks a return to the post for 77-year-old executive, who previously served a three-year term as chairman beginning in October 2005. He takes over from Toronto Raptors owner Larry Tanenbaum, who had held the position since 2017.

“I look forward to working closely in this new capacity with Adam, the league office and my fellow team governors to champion our teams and players, ensuring we continue to deliver exciting and unforgettable experiences for our fans,” Arison said, sharing his excitement about the new role.

Arison has been one of the most influential figures in the NBA since taking control of the Heat in 1995, a tenure that has produced three championships and turned Miami into one of the league’s model franchises. He has served on the league’s Board of Governors since well before his first chairmanship and has been credited with pushing initiatives like international expansion and revenue sharing among teams during his years of involvement.

His standing in the sport was further cemented last fall, when Arison was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class, honored as a contributor for his impact on the Heat organization and the league at large. He became the 11th person with Heat ties to earn the honor, joining a list that includes Pat Riley, Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dwyane Wade.

Beyond basketball, Arison also serves as the longtime chairman of Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company, giving him a rare dual role atop two major global enterprises. That business background, paired with three decades of NBA ownership experience, is part of why his fellow governors turned to him once again to help steer the league’s future.

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