Phoenix Suns president to leave organization

Phoenix Suns president and chief executive Rick Welts is leaving the team to pursue other interests.

Welts, the first openly gay senior executive in pro sports, announced on Friday that he is leaving the team on September 15.

Suns owner Robert Sarver said the business side of the organization will report to general counsel Jason Rowley as the team searches for a new president.

Lon Babby remains the Suns' president of basketball operations.

Welts joined the Suns in 2002 as president and had the additional title of CEO the past two seasons. He announced in May that he was gay to show younger people that they can pursue their passions and still have a successful career.