Steve Patterson (sports executive)

Steve Patterson is an American sports executive known for his tenures leading various professional and collegiate athletic organizations. He has held leadership positions in the NBA, NFL, and NCAA.

Patterson's career includes stints as General Manager and President of the Houston Rockets NBA team. He also served as President and General Manager of the Houston Texans NFL team.

In the collegiate realm, Patterson served as the Athletic Director for the University of Texas at Austin from 2013 to 2015. His tenure at Texas was marked by significant changes to the athletic department, including personnel decisions and revenue generation initiatives. He faced criticism regarding rising ticket prices, a perceived disconnect with the fan base, and the overall direction of the athletics program. He was ultimately replaced as Athletic Director in 2015.

Prior to his position at Texas, Patterson also served as Athletic Director at Arizona State University.

His career has been characterized by a focus on the business side of sports, including marketing, sponsorship, and revenue optimization. He has a background in sales and marketing.