The Cleveland Cavaliers has made history by electing the first Black woman to be executive vice president and chief commercial chair in franchise history.
In January, Shelly Cayette-Watson was promoted after nine years with the team. She is the first Black woman in the NBA to hold the position, WKYC reported.
“They didn’t just give me this role because I am a Black woman. They gave me the role because of the performance. Because as a business, we’ve led in the NBA in top five of revenue of all teams — over the past five years consistently,” Cayette-Weston said in an interview via Zoom.
Cleveland Cavaliers promote Shelly Cayette-Weston to executive vice president and chief operating officer, per @sbjsbd.
She is the first Black woman to hold this role with an NBA team 👏 @HighlightHER
(via @cavs) pic.twitter.com/9mwUKMEs8z
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 26, 2022
The Louisiana native told the outlet that being “the first” with anything requires much responsibility and added pressure. However, she spent years of hard work in the field that has prepared her for this role.
“I also take it in stride because I am confident in the work that I’ve done in my abilities and experience with the organization that has allowed me to learn and grow and really prepare for this role,” she said.
As a Tulane University graduate, Cayette-Watson never dreamed this moment would be possible as a former student-athlete for the women’s basketball team.
“I played basketball my whole life. I was 6’1″ in 8th grade. But after I finished playing basketball, I was really excited to just think about something different and something new,” she said.
After college, Cayette-Watson had several career changes before landing her dream job. She started her career as a marketing coordinator at Harrahs New Orleans Casino and Hotel. However, once better job opportunities began to open up, Cayette-Watson didn’t hesitate to take advantage of them. She held multiple positions with New Orleans Hornets from 2007 to 2012. Then, in the same year, she accepted an offer with the Cavaliers.
Since then, Northeast Ohio has been considered home for Cayette-Watson.
“I met my husband here, my amazing husband who is from here. We have our daughter and one on the way. I also have that ring, and we won a championship in 2016 and a Calder Cup with our AHL team. So, Cleveland’s been a great place for me,” Cayette-Weston said.
While working in a male-dominated field, Cayette-Watson shared advice with young Black women looking to work in similar sporting roles.
“Always let people know exactly what you’re thinking and exactly your intentions on where you want to go. Very often, the reason and that women, whether it be black women or just women in general, don’t, continue to ascend up the career ladders is because sometimes they’re not vocal,” she explained.
Though Cayette-Watson has made history with the NBA, she looks forward to one day not having to be “the first” when it comes to women breaking barriers.
“Look, I’ve got to tell you — part of me would like to see the day when I’m not making history,” Cayette-Weston told Crain’s Cleveland Business’ Joe Scalzo. “It’s nice to know that I’m the first, but hopefully, I can open doors, so there aren’t any more firsts. The goal is to do away with firsts.”
