NEW YORK – WNBA President Lisa Borders announced today that veteran business leader Jay Parry will join the WNBA as the league’s Chief Operating Officer, effective May 2.  Parry will be charged with league business and strategy functions and will lead efforts on all league and team revenue-generating opportunities, reporting to Borders.

Parry comes to the WNBA from the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee, where she served as President and Chief Executive Officer.  Her responsibilities included overseeing all aspects of planning and executing a record-breaking Super Bowl XLIX held in Arizona in 2015, working closely with the NFL and numerous business and governmental constituents in the market.

“We are fortunate to have Jay join our executive leadership team at such a significant time in WNBA history,” said Borders.  “Jay brings a strong sports and business acumen to the league.  Her extensive experience and solid record of accomplishment in strategy, marketing partnerships and sales will be of great value as the league focuses on growing its revenue opportunities and fan engagement.”

Parry previously served as Senior Vice President of Brand and Business Development for the Phoenix Suns, where she was responsible for the team’s ticket sales, marketing, analytics, digital media, social media, and CRM and database marketing.

Prior to joining the Suns in 2010, Parry spent seven successful seasons as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Phoenix Mercury, the Suns’ WNBA franchise.  With Parry at the helm of the Mercury, the team won two WNBA championships (2007, 2009) and drove significant brand and business growth, including securing the first marquee jersey partnership in WNBA history.

“The league has never been more energized, and it’s an exciting time to return to the WNBA family,” said Parry.  “The WNBA has the best female basketball players in the world playing at the highest level.  The game has never been better, and I look forward to leveraging my experience and the full resources of the NBA and WNBA to grow the game and the business.”

Prior to her role with the Mercury, Parry had a 17-year career with Bank of America, where she held a series of executive roles and was responsible for business strategy, management functions and marketing activities conducted in the bank’s four major divisions: consumer, private banking, small business and commercial.

A native of Del Mar, California, Parry earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Colorado.