After spending the past seven years overseas as the head of NBA China, Western alumnus David Shoemaker, LLB’96, is coming home to lead the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC).
The accomplished global sports executive will begin at his new post on Jan. 7 and replace fellow Western alumnus Chris Overholt, BA’77, who left in September.
“Ever since the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, I have been completely captivated by the Olympic movement and all that it represents. This is a dream come true for me.” said the 47-year-old Shoemaker.
“We are thrilled that David will be joining our team as our new CEO,” said COC President Tricia Smith. “Along with an obvious love for sport, he brings to the role strong values and a collaborative and innovative style of leadership as demonstrated in his impressive work to date as a leader on the world sports stage.”
Originally from Ottawa, Shoemaker had a highly successful run leading NBA China and left a legacy of record revenue growth that included marketing partnerships increased to unprecedented levels.
Before joining the NBA, Shoemaker spent seven years at the Women’s Tennis Association, most recently as its president. During that time, he was a member of the executive team responsible for ensuring equal prize money for women as for men at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Shoemaker spent seven years in New York practicing law at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and Proskauer Rose LLP, where his clients included the National Hockey League, the Association of Tennis Professionals, Major League Soccer, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Florida Marlins.
Along with a Western degree, Shoemaker holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Toronto (Trinity College).
Overholt, his predecessor at the Canadian Olympic Committee, has moved on to become president and CEO of OverActive Media, which has acquired the rights to bring an Overwatch League franchise to Toronto.