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Research Events

Global Perspectives with R.C. Buford

Virtual

On February 3, Robert S. Kaplan, president and CEO of the Dallas Fed, discussed national and global economic issues with R.C. Buford, CEO of Spurs Sports and Entertainment.

Read the recap »

About R.C. Buford

Buford was named CEO for Spurs Sports and Entertainment in July 2019. He leads the business operations for all sports franchises owned and operated by Spurs Sports and Entertainment, including the San Antonio Spurs (National Basketball Association), Austin Spurs (NBA G-League) and San Antonio FC (United Soccer League) as well as the operations of the AT&T Center and Toyota Field in San Antonio.

Buford was president of sports franchises for Spurs Sports and Entertainment in 2008–19. He served as general manager of the Spurs while overseeing sports administration for the organization’s other teams. He was named the NBA’s Executive of the Year in 2014 and 2016.

Buford started his professional career in 1983 as an assistant coach at the University of Kansas. The Jayhawks participated in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament during each of his five seasons, advancing to the Final Four in 1985–86 and winning the NCAA championship in 1988.  He moved to the NBA and the Spurs in 1988 as an assistant coach on Larry Brown’s staff and spent four seasons with the team. In 1992, Buford joined the Los Angeles Clippers as first assistant for Brown. During the 1993–94 season, he served as an assistant coach at the University of Florida.

Buford returned to San Antonio as the Spurs’ head scout in 1994. He was elevated to director of scouting in 1997 and to vice president/assistant general manager in 1999. In 2002, he was named the Spurs’ general manager.

Buford played basketball at Texas A&M University and Oklahoma State before receiving his degree from Friends University. He is involved in the NBA Basketball Without Borders Africa Camp and, in 2015, became an advisory board member for Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics at Duke University. He serves on the board of PeacePlayers International.

For event and registration questions, contact Jenna Dillenback at jenna.dillenback@dal.frb.org.