Gretchen Sheirr has been at the heart of the Houston Rockets’ success, rising to become President of Business Operations in May 2021 after two decades with the organization. She also serves as a representative of the Fertitta Family on the prestigious NBA Board of Governors.

Her journey with the team began humbly as an account executive, but through hard work and passion, she steadily climbed the ranks, earning titles including Vice President of Sales & Service, Chief Revenue Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. In her first season at the helm, Gretchen skillfully navigated the challenges of returning to full-capacity events after the pandemic with Toyota Center hosting blockbuster events like UFC 262, which became the highest-grossing event in the venue’s history.

Gretchen’s role is far-reaching—she oversees every aspect of the Rockets’ business operations, making sure everything runs smoothly at both the team level and at Toyota Center, one of the nation’s premier live entertainment venues. Her innovative spirit was clear early on when she was integral in launching AXS Ticketing. Her deep understanding of the ticketing world, paired with her forward-thinking vision, has been a driving force behind the organization’s success.
One of Gretchen’s most exciting projects came prior to the 2023-24 season, when the Rockets and Astros came together to acquire and rebrand their regional broadcast network, now known as Space City Home Network. She also spearheaded an impressive technological upgrade at Toyota Center, featuring a dazzling new scoreboard and state-of-the-art control room. Those enhancements proved timely, as the venue hosted its highest number of third party events in 2023 and the Rockets posted a franchise record for single game ticketing revenue. The Rockets closed the 2024 calendar year by selling out their final eight home games and are on pace to host a home playoff game for the first time since 2019.

The Houston Rockets opened a cutting-edge training center in 2024, with Gretchen playing a key role in securing the naming rights from Memorial Hermann. This partnership grew even stronger when Memorial Hermann became the team’s official jersey sponsor for the 2024-25 season. In 2022, the Rockets and Memorial Hermann collaborated for an unprecedented rebranding of the health system’s Orthopedic and Sports Medicine franchises using the Houston Rockets name.

Under Gretchen’s leadership, the Rockets have formed partnerships with big names like Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s Sire Spirits and iconic designer Kendra Scott. And with long-term deals in place with Kroger and EVA Air, she continues to strengthen the Rockets’ brand. Gretchen also ushered in fresh and exciting partnerships, including a major deal with PNC Bank, introducing luxurious courtside loge boxes that quickly became a fan favorite.

Gretchen’s commitment to the Houston community is at the core of her leadership. Through the Clutch City Foundation, she has used her business acumen to help the Rockets charitable arm uplift those in need, by leveraging partnerships and resources to revitalize the community. The Rockets annual spring charity gala has become a highlight, raising an impressive $750,000 in 2024 to support vital causes in the Houston area.

A native of Spring, Texas, Gretchen graduated from Louisiana State University with a marketing degree, where she also shined as a four-year letter-winning diver. In 2017, she was recognized as one of Sports Business Journal’s Forty Under 40, a well-deserved honor that speaks to her influence in the sports world. When she’s not making waves in the sports industry, Gretchen is busy serving her community on various boards and spending time with her husband, Ken, and their twins, Zachary and Jordan, in their home in The Woodlands