Carley Knox

Carley Knox is entering her 17th season with the Minnesota Lynx and her 22nd in the WNBA. She was named president of business operations in February 2021 and oversees the organization’s day-to-day business operations, including ticket sales and service, public relations, marketing, community impact, logistics, corporate partnership development, budget management, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and season scheduling. Knox also serves as the primary liaison between the Lynx and the WNBA on league-wide business, operations, and marketing initiatives.

Knox’s passion and dedication to the Minnesota Lynx and women’s athletics, as a whole, is fueled by her commitment to using sport as a vehicle of change, to promoting gender equality and social justice, and to celebrating diversity. Throughout Knox’s tenure, the Lynx have won four WNBA Championships (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017), along with the 2024 WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship, and achieved all-time franchise highs across key business and operational areas. The 2025 season featured 19 sellouts through 21 home games and a 47% year-over-year increase in season ticket membership. Retail sales grew 150% over 2024, driven in part by the highly successful Peau de Loup collaboration. Corporate partnership revenue has increased 67% since 2023, with 22 new partners secured over the past two years, reflecting Knox’s strategic focus on cultivating and expanding meaningful and impactful relationships with corporate partners.

Media engagement and broadcast ratings have also reached unprecedented levels under Knox’s guidance. FanDuel Sports Network ratings for the 2025 season increased 125% year-over-year, while KARE 11 ratings were 28% higher than the 2025 average TV rating, complemented by continued growth in streaming audiences. Knox has overseen the launch of new premium fan experiences, including the all-inclusive Lexus Courtside Club and the U.S. Bank Backcourt Club, providing enhanced access and amenities for Lynx supporters. Additionally, she has expanded the Lynx Changemakers platform, fostering opportunities for the next generation of women leaders and further establishing the organization’s commitment to social impact and community engagement.

Knox joined the Minnesota Lynx in January 2010 as the business development manager, where her primary focus included corporate partnerships and ticket sales. She later held roles as director of business operations and vice president of business operations. Prior to joining the Lynx, Knox spent five years with the WNBA’s Detroit Shock as the director of sales and marketing.

Knox attended Ohio University where she earned degrees in both sports administration and women’s studies. During her time as a Bobcat, she was a member of the Women’s NCAA Division I Soccer team that went on to win the Mid-American Conference Championship in 1998. After graduating, Knox went on to coach women’s soccer at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, N.Y., where she began her master's in psychology. She later worked in operations, marketing, and sales for the LPGA’s Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic before accepting a graduate assistantship at Bowling Green State University, where she completed her master’s degree in sports administration and women’s studies.

Knox currently serves on the board for the Minnesota Aurora, as well as the Ann Bancroft Foundation Legacy Committee. Previously, she served on the Ann Bancroft Foundation Executive Committee, as Chair of the Development Committee, and on the Board of Directors for seven years. She also served on the Bush Foundation Fellowship Selection Committee. Knox was recently named the Grand Marshal for Twin Cities PRIDE 2024, an honor bestowed upon an individual who has shown a tireless commitment to amplifying voices and elevating the lives of members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Knox was also a member of the KARE 11 Community Advisory Council and served on the 2022 NCAA Women’s Final Four Local Advisory Council. Knox also coaches her son's soccer and basketball teams. Knox, her wife, and their son Oliver currently reside in Minneapolis, Minn.