NBA team executive leaving for job with big soccer club

Feb 18, 2023; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; The NBA logo on the court at Huntsman Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

An executive in the NBA has decided to change sports.

Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic reported Tuesday that Sachin Gupta, who serves as executive vice president of basketball operations for the Minnesota Timberwolves, is leaving the team. Gupta is leaving to take a “prominent” position with English soccer club Chelsea F.C.

The 42-year-old Gupta, who created the fan-favorite online “Trade Machine” for ESPN, has nearly two decades of front office experience in the NBA (with the Rockets, 76ers, Pistons, and Timberwolves). He spent the last five NBA seasons in Minnesota, initially serving as the No. 2 in the front office behind Gersson Rosas and specializing in the collective bargaining agreement and team analytics. Gupta was elevated to interim GM when Rosas was fired in 2021 over a controversy and remained with the Timberwolves after they hired Tim Connelly as the new head of their front office in 2022.

As for Chelsea, who play in the Premier League (the top flight of English soccer), they are one of the biggest clubs in Europe. Known for their lavish spending every transfer window, Chelsea currently sits at eighth in the league with seven points through four matches (after placing sixth last season and qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League).

Chelsea already has a very strong American connection as well with U.S. businessman Todd Boehly (who is a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers) serving as both their chairman and co-controlling owner. Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino (who has since been replaced by Enzo Maresca) also just landed a major job on American soil.