Yahoo Sport 
Rockets CEO Tad Brown stepping down at end of season after 15 years
Houston Rockets CEO Tad Brown will step down at the end of the season, he announced on Friday.
Brown, who has been with the organization for nearly two decades, has held that post for 15 years.
“It’s time to move on,” he said, via the Houston Chronicle. “It’s been the greatest honor of my professional life to lead this organization. It’s been the ride of a lifetime.”
Browns’ departure comes as the organization has seemed to tumble and lose significant key pieces both on the court and in the front office in recent months.
Both coach Mike D’Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey left just a few months before star James Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. The team boats just a 15-44 record, the worst in the league, and is set to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2012. With just 13 games left on their regular season schedule, the Rockets will finish the season with their worst record since the 1982-83 season.
Brown, though, said his leaving has nothing to do with “ownership” or the direction the franchise has taken. Instead, he said, it was “one of the most uniquely selfish things I’ve ever done.”
He also had plenty of praise for team owner Tilman Fertitta, who purchased the team in 2017.
“On behalf of the entire Rockets organization and my family, I want to thank Tad for his stellar and tireless service to the Houston Rockets franchise,” Fertitta said in a statement, via the Houston Chronicle. “I could not have asked for a better leader to work with since becoming owner. Tad has played an integral role in the success of our franchise both on and off the court.
“I have known Tad since his arrival in Houston 19 years ago and want to sincerely thank him for his friendship and for building a tremendous organization throughout the Rockets and the Toyota Center.”
More from Yahoo Sports:
