Michigan Alumna Leung Named President of USA Gymnastics
2/19/2019 10:34:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- USA Gymnastics announced Tuesday (Feb. 19) the hiring of University of Michigan women's gymnastics alumna Li Li Leung as its new president and chief executive officer.
"I am honored to be the next CEO of USA Gymnastics and to lead an organization that plays an important role in a sport that I care deeply about and had so much positive influence on my life," said Leung in a USA Gymnastics press release. "Like everyone, I was upset and angry to learn about the abuse and the institutions that let the athletes down. I admire the courage and strength of the survivors, and I will make it a priority to see that their claims are resolved. I look forward to collaborating with the entire gymnastics community to create further change going forward, which requires that we implement important initiatives to strengthen athlete health and safety and build a clear and inclusive plan for the future. For me, this is much more than a job: it is a personal calling, for which I stand ready to answer."
Leung will take the lead of USA Gymnastics after serving as the vice president of the National Basketball Association for the past four years. She played a big role in the NBA's marketing partnerships, global integration, and licensing and merchandising.
Li Li and her twin sister May May competed at Michigan from 1992-95. A member of four Big Ten Conference championship teams, Li Li was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and was runner-up on balance beam at the 1993 Big Ten Championships. The Parsippany, New Jersey, native graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology.
Li Li Leung (holding trophy) and teammates celebrate winning the 1993 Big Ten championship
"I am elated for Li Li and thrilled she has been given this incredible opportunity," said U-M head coach Bev Plocki. "She is great for this position because she was a gymnast and has a true understanding of what they are going through and what they are trying to do, but at the same time has the experience as an executive in business. I think she is going to be perfect and do an amazing job."
After graduating from U-M, Leung worked as the program manager for the alumni association and athletic department for the next four years before returning to school at the University of Massachusetts. She earned two master's degrees, one in business administration in 2002 and a second in sport management in 2003.
In April 2004, Leung began working for Zou Marketing Ltd. in Shanghai, China, as an account director. Over the next year she worked on projects in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan that included the first NBA games in China as well as integration of both the NFL and Electronic Arts into the China marketplace.
She was responsible for the establishment and setup of the Helios Partners China office in September 2005. She assisted in a negotiation of the 2008 Beijing Olympics sponsorship deal that was valued at over US$20 million and consulted on commercial development of the Chinese Basketball Association.
Just over four years later she was hired as the Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Helios Partners LLC in London. She was responsible for the strategic planning of negotiations for the 2012 London Olympics sponsorships valued at an average of US$50 million. She advised the Arsenal Football Club on strategic planning and brand growth in China and consulted with the UFC on developing a sponsorship base in Europe.
Leung worked as a senior advisor and consultant for Glideslope LLC in New York City from July-December 2014 before she was hired by the NBA in February 2015.
