Josh Bartelstein is the son of Mark and Sheri Bartelstein. Josh’s father, Mark, is the founder of the US’s most prominent independently owned sports agency, Priority Sports & Entertainment.
Josh Bartelstein is an American basketball Executive and former college basketball player. He is the CEO of the Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Mercury, and the Footprint Center.
Before his current position, Bartelstein spent over seven years in various roles for the Detroit Pistons in the NBA. He played college basketball for the University of Michigan as a walk-on.
He was the captain of the 2012-2013 Michigan Wolverines men’s basketball team that reached the national championship game.
Bartelstein attended Highland Park High School and later spent a post-graduate season playing for Phillips Exeter Academy. He received offers from Division III and Division I schools but ultimately chose to play for the University of Michigan.
Bartelstein had a limited role as a player during college but was known for his leadership and commitment to the team.
After graduating, he embarked on a career in basketball administration and eventually became the CEO of the Phoenix Suns and related entities under the ownership of Mat Ishbia.
Josh Bartelstein Father
Mark Bartelstein is Josh Bartelstein’s father. Mark studied at the University of Illinois in the class of 1982.
Professionally, he is a former investment banker at Morgan Stanley. Mark, after leaving his job, founded Priority Sports in 1985. He established it as one of the US’s most prominent independently owned sports agencies.
Most recently, in 2022, Forbes placed Priority at #14 on the list of The Most Valuable Sports Agencies, where it managed a remarkable contract value of $1.24 billion and earned $55 million in commissions.
As per Forbes’ 2022 agent ranking, Bartelstein has masterfully negotiated close to $1 billion in active NBA contracts. He has secured substantial deals for notable players such as Bradley Beal, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Gordon Hayward.
Josh had the opportunity to meet and train with professional athletes due to his father’s connections.
Josh’s Family Tree
Josh comes from Highland Park, Illinois, in the northern Chicago metropolitan area. He is the son of Mark and Sheri Bartelstein and has three sisters.
Sheri, Josh’s mother, and her spouse work at Priority Sports and Entertainment. She mentions being a mom at Priority Sports & Entertainment in her LinkedIn profile.
Josh has three younger sisters named Morgan and Courtney, and Kirby. His sister Morgan attended the University of Michigan, while Courtney studied at the University of Wisconsin.
Josh’s youngest sister, Kirby, is also an athlete like him. She was involved in soccer and played the sport during her high school days.
On August 13, 2022, Josh tied the knot with his girlfriend Sydney at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago, Illinois.
