Now, Bob has become the Executive in Residence for Sports Enterprise Management at the Milgard School of Business, University of Washington Tacoma.

Bob’s rise to the top of the field of professional sports began when he was promoted to assistant general manager of the Indiana Pacers only three years after joining the club as an intern. In 1982, he joined the Kansas City Kings as vice president of marketing. Two years later, he oversaw the team’s successful move to Sacramento. In 1986, he became the president and general manager of the Seattle Supersonics.

In 17 seasons as an NBA President and General Manager, “Trader Bob” built teams that made the playoffs 16 times. As president of the Seattle Seahawks from 1997 through the beginning of 2005, he negotiated the acquisition of the team for Paul Allen and led a successful statewide referendum that secured $300 million in public funding for the Seahawk’s new football & soccer stadium and exhibition center. During his tenure with the Seahawks, Bob built a team that made its first three playoff appearances in nearly a decade, won two division championships, and played in Super Bowl XL. He has also served as president of a diverse range of companies, including the Oregon Arena Corporation, Rose City Radio, Action Sports Media, and more.

Today, Whitsitt serves as chief sports advisor to ownership of the NHL’s Kraken and Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle and is applying his wide-ranging skills and expertise, his flair for spotting talent, his industry-wide network of relationships, and his proven record of success, to the art of helping people in a wide range of industries achieve their business goals.