Charles Grantham is deeply involved in professional sports. As President and Chief Executive Officer of Ceruzzi Sports and Entertainment Group based in New York City, Mr. Grantham represents NBA players in contract negotiations. He serves as a Senior Fellow of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Sports Business Initiative and as an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall University’s Stillman School of Business where he teaches a graduate level course entitled, “Negotiation and Dispute Resolution in Professional and Amateur Sports.”

The former Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), Mr. Grantham played a pivotal role in the advancement of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1978 to 1995. He transformed the NBPA from a mere bargaining unit to a multi-faceted organization designed to enhance the league’s image and protect the NBA’s greatest asset—its players.

As a principal negotiator, Mr. Grantham helped to establish the League’s four historic Collective Bargaining Agreements between 1980 and 1995. In 1984 the NBPA procured a defined percentage of gross revenues (53%) for NBA players, as well as instituted a free agency system, unique to professional sports, that allowed players to negotiate freely with other teams based on the player’s years of service. In 1993 Mr. Grantham won a $100 million settlement from the NBA on the players’ behalf in a case exposing under reporting of revenues normally due players under the salary cap agreement.

Mr. Grantham instituted an orientation program for rookies to help prepare them and their families for the rigors of life in the NBA. He developed visionary educational and counseling programs for NBPA members such as those in the areas of financial planning and preparation for a second career, and he innovated the NBPA/NBA drug policy in 1983 that served as a model for corporate America.

Mr. Grantham also created an agent regulatory system in response to the excessive fees charged to players by agents since the 1970s. The system mandated that agents representing professional players be licensed by the NBPA and reduce their agent fees from 10% to a maximum of 4%.

In developing labor agreements on behalf of the players, he recognized the need for owners and players to compromise and reach positive solutions for the advancement of the sport.

The productive partnership that the NBA and its Players enjoyed during this era is evidenced by the players’ participation in the Olympic Games of 1992. The Dream Team exploded on to the world stage and, since then, NBA Basketball’s global fan base has helped it reap billions in incremental revenue. As a member of the Selection Committee, Mr. Grantham negotiated the terms and conditions of the Dream Team’s play. At his insistence, NBA Olympic team members received one-third of all licensing revenue generated by USA Basketball at that time.

His thorough knowledge of the business of sports and his vision in promoting the personal development of professional athletes has placed Mr. Grantham in demand. He has been a keynote speaker and lecturer for numerous organizations and universities and has appeared frequently in the local and national media. Mr. Grantham has authored several articles featured in The New York Times, USA Today, and other publications. As a Presidential Conferee in the Reagan Administration, he helped develop public policy to combat drug use in America. Mr. Grantham has testified before Congress regarding drug policies in professional sports and about collegiate eligibility and professional sports issues. Mr. Grantham has assembled a vast collection of honors and awards and served on numerous advisory boards and committees. He was regularly listed among The Sporting News’ “100 Most Powerful People in Sports.” In 2000, he was co-executive producer of the TNT documentary about the former New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets star, Michael Ray Richardson. Whatever Happened to Michael Ray? won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Documentary.

Prior to joining the NBPA, Mr. Grantham was Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, Graduate Division. Mr. Grantham also possesses a comprehensive professional background in Industrial Relations, including recruitment/selection and program management, which he gained from his experience with General Electric Corporation and RCA. In addition, Mr. Grantham has taught Social Sciences, General Business and Special Education at the secondary level as well as coached basketball, football and track teams.

Mr. Grantham earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Sciences from Cheyney State University, where he captained its nationally-ranked basketball team for three years and was class president. Upon graduation, he received the Gentleman-Scholar-Athlete Award and the President’s Citizen Award, the two highest non-academic awards granted by the University. He was voted into its Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.

Mr. Grantham holds a Master of Business Administration degree from The Wharton School and has completed all doctoral course work in Administration and Organizational Management at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Education. He also completed Wharton’s Executive training in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution. In 2002, he was appointed Adjunct Professor at Wharton, teaching Negotiation and Dispute Resolution to MBA students until 2004.

In a consultancy role, Mr. Grantham served the National Lacrosse League from 2002-05 and negotiated the League’s bargaining agreement with its players. He advised the Chairman of the Washington, D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission from 2004-07, helping to bring Major League Baseball to the District.