Timberwolves rehire 49ers' Ethan Casson as CEO

Less than a month after Rob Moor stepped down from his position as Timberwolves CEO, the team has filled the position with San Francisco 49ers executive Ethan Casson, a former Wolves vice president.

The Timberwolves officially announced Monday morning that Casson, currently the 49ers' chief operating officer, will replace Moor, who stepped down from the position June 17.

"We are extremely excited to welcome Ethan back to Minnesota and back to the Timberwolves and Lynx family," said Timberwolves and Lynx majority owner Glen Taylor in a statement. "Ethan has a proven track record of success, along with the energy and enthusiasm to lead our business development efforts to unprecedented heights for our franchise."

Casson is familiar with both the Wolves and the Twin Cities, having served a previous stint from 1999 through 2010 with the Wolves, rising to the level of senior vice president.

Hired by the 49ers as vice president of corporate sales in 2010, he was promoted to chief sales officer in 2013, to chief revenue officer in 2014 and most recently to COO.

As VP of corporate sales, he led the effort to land a 20-year, $220 million deal for naming rights for the 49ers' new facility, Levi Stadium, and led efforts to raise more than $650 million in contractually obligated income at the stadium before a game had been played there.

Casson's previous stint with the Wolves began with an entry-level job in sales, but he ultimately rose to the position of senior vice president of corporate sales and services and game presentation. In that role, Casson consistently met revenue goals and was named among the Forty under 40 by Minneapolis/ St. Paul Business Journal.

First-round draft choice Kris Dunn had 21 points, nine rebounds and four assists for the Wolves, who blew an eight-point fourth-quarter lead and lost 82-80 to Toronto in the Las Vegas Summer League.

Tyus Jones added 18 points and four assists, and Adreian Payne scored 13 points.