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Jason Rowley, the president and CEO of the Phoenix Suns is stepping down ahead of a change of team ownership, according to reports.
Staff members were notified of the decision in a team e-mail sent by interim governor Sam Garvin.
"I wanted to let you know that Jason Rowley made the decision to leave the organization," Garvin said.
"After almost 15 years of hard work and dedicated service, Jason felt that the transition in ownership created ideal timing to close this chapter of his professional journey and pursue new opportunities.
"We wish Jason the best and are appreciative of his tireless work on behalf of our organization."
Rowley joined the team back in 2007 and has been president and CEO of the team since 2012 under the ownership of Robert Sarver.
Sarver is finalizing the process of selling the team after he was suspended for one year by the NBA after he was found to use racial slurs in public and created a toxic work environment through reported the use of the N-word around employees, committed several misogynistic acts and harsh treatment of employees that on occasion constituted bullying.
After initially pushing back on selling the Suns and the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA, Sarver sold both teams to former Michigan State basketball walk-on and mortgage broker Mat Ishbia for $4bn.
Ishbia is set to officially be named as owner of the Suns this Wednesday.