First Openly Gay Sports Executive Steps Down as Suns CEO

(NewsCore) - Phoenix Suns CEO Rick Welts, who made sports history by becoming the first executive to publicly disclose his homosexuality, will leave his position Sept. 15, the team announced Friday.

Welts revealed in May to the New York Times that he was gay, becoming the most senior member of a pro sports franchise to do so. He cited personal reasons for his decision to depart the Suns, where he has served as president since 2002.

"I'm at a point in my life where my focus is to align my personal and professional life in a way I've never been able to achieve before," said Welts. "The most important people in my personal life are not in Phoenix, and the Suns have been completely understanding and supportive of my request to leave in advance of the end of my contract."

"My nine-plus years at the Suns have been incredibly rewarding thanks to a group of employees second to none in professional sports and the support of great ownership," Welts continued. "The Suns organization has always been a special place to work, and I leave knowing that will continue to be true in the future."

Welts said he is leaving the Suns to move to Sacramento, Calif., to be with his partner, according to the Arizona Republic.

"The most important thing for me is to get my personal and professional lives better aligned," Welts told the paper.

"They've probably never been aligned. I'm 58 years old and it's time to do that. This isn't one of those departures to see greener pastures. It really is completely a personal situation. These guys have been tremendously accommodating and any other inference than that is absolutely crazy."

Welts said in the Suns' press release that the reaction to his announcement about his sexuality has been positive.

"The response from fans, co-workers, players and ownership of the Suns to my announcement has been the most gratifying experience of my life, one for which I will forever be grateful," added Welts.

Before arriving in Phoenix, Welts spent 17 years in the NBA front office, last serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.

Welts' contract with the Suns was set to expire next year.

Source: AZCentral.com