In his eighth season with the Wizards organization, Tommy Sheppard is in his 17th year of service to the NBA. As Washington’s Vice President of Basketball Administration, Sheppard assists with the day-to-day operations of a basketball department that added John Wall and Kirk Hinrich during the recent off-season to a core that already featured Gilbert Arenas, Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee. With significant future salary cap room and financial flexibility, Sheppard’s impact on Washington’s rebuilding efforts is considerable.
Sheppard’s role in Washington includes responsibilities with salary cap management, negotiations, draft preparation and talent evaluation of collegiate athletes and professionals, both domestically and abroad. Additional responsibilities of Sheppard’s include an assisting role in the recruitment and evaluation of free agents, statistical evaluation of NBA players, the hiring of coaches (including current Head Coach Flip Saunders) and personnel, and monitoring the Wizards’ efforts in the NBA’s Player Programs. Sheppard is also specifically tasked with organizing the Wizards’ training camp and preseason schedules, overseeing the athletic training, strength training, video, technology and equipment areas for the team, and directing in-arena renovations to areas including the Wizards locker room, players lounge, family lounge and front offices.
Previously a member of the Denver Nuggets organization since 1994, Sheppard served as the Nuggets’ Senior Director of Team Services and Player Relations before his arrival in Washington. With Denver, he oversaw all internal and external communications functions and served as the club’s primary spokesperson. He also scouted internationally and evaluated high school, collegiate and minor league talent. For his efforts in Denver and overall contributions to the communications efforts of the NBA, Sheppard was honored with the prestigious Splaver/McHugh "Tribute to Excellence" Award in 2010, which is given annually by the NBA Public Relations Directors’ Association to a current or former member of the NBA public relations family who has demonstrated an outstanding level of performance and service during his or her NBA career.
An active figure within the United States Olympic Movement for over a decade, Sheppard worked as a press attaché for the three Summer Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004), as well as three Olympic Festivals and the 2003 Pan American Games. He assisted with the formation of the Northern European Basketball League (which realigned as part of FIBA Europe) and continues to serve as a consultant for Lithuanian legend and former NBA star Sarunas Marciulionis in various basketball projects.
An adjunct professor at Georgetown University where he teaches Sports Industry Management, Sheppard graduated from New Mexico State University in 1991, where he was a three-year member of the Aggie football team. After getting his start in media relations as a student assistant at New Mexico State, Sheppard headed the sports information office at UNLV before taking ranks in the National Basketball Association in 1994. He also serves on the Industry Advisory Council for the American Public University and the American Military University Systems.
Sheppard and his wife, Rosie, are the parents of five daughters: Bailey, Rebekah, Abby, Emma and Tessa, and one son, Tommy Jr.