New Orleans City Council Vice President Arnie D. Fielkow was today named the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director of the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the official retired players association of the NBA, ABA and Harlem Globetrotters.

The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Oscar Robertson, Dave Bing, Dave DeBusschere, Dave Cowens and Archie Clark, and works in direct partnership with both the NBA and National Basketball Players Association. The NBRPA’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of all former players through a wide range of activities, including events in both the US and around the world, advocacy on a wide range of player-related issues, player and fan marketing, and a comprehensive list of benefits and services made available to assist former professional basketball players in their future endeavors.

Fielkow will assume his new position on October 1, 2011.

Fielkow, twice elected as New Orleans Councilman-at-Large post-Katrina, possesses an extensive background in both professional and intercollegiate athletics, as well as in law. He served as Executive Vice President of the NFL New Orleans Saints from 2000-2005, where he served as the senior club official on the business side of the organization, overseeing marketing, sales, governmental relations, community relations, youth programming and other administrative areas. During his six-year Saints tenure, Fielkow helped the Saints realize unprecedented financial success, including the establishment of then-records in consecutive sellouts, season ticket sales and sponsorship sales. A comprehensive four-state regional marketing and business plan was designed and executed to help accomplish these goals.

Previously, Fielkow served from 1994-2000 as President and General Counsel of Minor League Baseball’s Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs and as President of the AA Association. From 1991-1994, Fielkow served as Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel of the Continental Basketball Association, the-then official developmental league of the NBA. During his CBA professional basketball tenure, Fielkow oversaw the League’s international affairs, as well as the League’s marketing, sales, broadcasting, administrative and legal affairs. Fielkow also practiced law for ten years in Chicago, where he specialized in sports and insurance law, and co-founded the law firm of Grossman, Solomon and Fielkow, PC.

“I am incredibly excited to assume the leadership of the NBRPA as its new CEO. The Association is comprised of a very dedicated and energetic Board of Directors, and I look forward to working with each of them and all the members in growing and strengthening the organization. The NBRPA carries with it a tremendous upside opportunity for expansion and success, and I am honored the Board has entrusted me with taking the leadership reins,” said Fielkow.

“I will forever treasure my nearly twelve years in New Orleans. It is one of the great cities of the world, comprised of truly resilient, passionate and courageous citizens. The accomplishments we have collectively realized post-Katrina have laid a solid foundation for the city’s future success and I look forward to watching New Orleans prosper and soar in the years to come. For my family and me, the city of New Orleans will forever have a special place in our hearts and will always be our adopted home.”

“As NBRPA President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, I am extremely excited to have Arnie join us as our new Chief Executive Officer/Executive Director. An exhaustive national search was conducted by the Board to identify the NBRPA’s new leader and all of us were greatly impressed by Arnie’s track record of success, vision and passion. The NBRPA, in conjunction with its important partnerships with the NBA and National Basketball Players Association, has a bright future and I am confident Arnie will help lead us to great future success”, said NBRPA President and Chairman of the Board, Robert A. (Bob) Elliott.