Irina Pavlova has been an instrumental piece in the development of the Nets throughout their first five years in Brooklyn. When owner Mikhail Prokhorov moved the Nets from New Jersey to Brooklyn – with some assistance from former part owner JAY Z – the league was hoping to corner the New York basketball market and also begin their international reach with Phrokorhov as the face of the front office and Pavlova as an integral part of their executive team.

Pavlova was front and center at the Brooklyn Nets first NBA Draft Lottery in 2012 and she’s also credited with being the driving force behind Brooklyn’s new practice center at the HSS Training Center in Brooklyn. Many have considered Irina Pavlova as one of the most important women in professional sports. Essentially she was the number two to Prokhorov and worked alongside Nets CEO Brett Yormark.

Unfortunately for the Nets, Pavlova will be leaving the team for reasons that have not yet been announced.

Following from Chris Mannix of The Vertical.

Irina Pavlova, a top adviser to Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov and one of the highest-ranking women in professional sports, is leaving the organization next month, sources told The Vertical. Pavlova, whose official title is president of Onexim Sports and Entertainment, has served as a U.S.-based liaison for the Nets’ Russian-based ownership group since 2010.

In her role, Pavlova was looped in on all Nets-related activities, from business to basketball operations. She dealt with the NBA on significant issues and was heavily involved in the selection of the team’s new practice facility in Brooklyn.

Pavlova serves on the board of directors for the Nets and Brooklyn Arena LLC, the company that runs the Barclays Center.

The post REPORT: Irina Pavlova, Top Adviser to Nets Owner Mikhail Prokhorov, Leaving Organization appeared first on Def Pen.