Nic Barlage (LC 2019, CLC Board)
CEO, Cleveland Cavaliers, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and Rock Entertainment Group
Nic Barlage is Chief Executive Officer of Rock Entertainment Group, the entity behind Cavaliers Chairman Dan Gilbert’s Rock Family of Companies. The group encompasses the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers, the AHL Cleveland Monsters, the NBA G League Cleveland Charge, and the Cavs Legion in the NBA 2K League and manages operations of key venues such as the Legion Lair Lit by TCP, the Cleveland Clinic Courts and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the epicenter of entertainment in Cleveland.
Barlage joined the Cavaliers in 2017 as President of Business Operations, where he oversaw the 2019-2020 transformation of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, solidifying its status as one of the top 30 entertainment venues in the world. In 2021, he was named CEO of the Cavaliers and REG. Barlage now oversees the NBA’s second-largest workforce, with over 500 full-time team members.
Before joining the Cavaliers, Barlage served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer for the Phoenix Suns during the 2013-14 season, leading their premium and ticket sales and marketing endeavors. Earlier, Barlage spent five seasons with the Cavaliers, culminating in his role as Vice President of Sales and Service before his move to Phoenix. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he honed his expertise in suite and premium seating during stints with the Suns and the Charlotte Bobcats, totaling three seasons.
Throughout Barlage’s tenure, REG’s impact and influence has extended throughout the Northeast Ohio region. The Cavaliers organization has partnered with organizations and agencies at the local, regional and national levels to make vital investments in our community. Through this collaboration, we have contributed over $48 million to support local initiatives, our team members have volunteered over 52k volunteer hours, and we have supported thousands of community organizations that provide enriching programs, create safe spaces, provide educational resources, address food security, and promote youth wellness & recreation.
Barlage also serves on advisory boards for esteemed institutions like the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, American Red Cross, Cleveland Leadership Center, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Clinic Pediatrics Leadership Council, the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Ohio and Hathaway Brown School.
A proud graduate of Saint John’s University (Minn.), Barlage earned a degree in Psychology in May 2006. He and his wife, Traci, have two daughters, Brooklyn and Kennedy.