Raymond Ridder

Raymond Ridder begins his 23rd season with the Golden State Warriors and his third as the team’s senior vice president of communications. A 30-year member of the NBA PR community, Ridder is currently serving his second tour of duty as the Pacific Division’s representative on the NBA’s PR Advisory Committee.

Prior to being promoted to his current position, Ridder spent seven seasons as the team’s vice president of communications and eight years as the club’s executive director of public relations. He joined the organization prior to the 1998-99 campaign as the team’s PR director. In his current capacity, Ridder is the primary liaison between the Warriors and the local, national and international media. He is responsible for creating various PR plans and strategies for the organization and for coordinating and overseeing all player/media interviews, press conferences and written information disseminated by the team. Additionally, he oversees the team’s corporate communications efforts and broadcasting.

Ridder and the Warriors’ PR staff have been named recipients of the prestigious Brian McIntyre Media Relations Award on six occasions. The award is given annually by the PBWA (Pro Basketball Writers Association) for excellence in NBA media relations. The Warriors PR staff was named the McIntyre Award winners following the 2009-10, 2013-14, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.

In September 2017, Sports Business Journal recognized Ridder as one of the “Power Players” in the sports communications field in a special issue honoring those who have played a significant and influential role in sports media relations.

A graduate of California State University, San Bernardino, where he earned his B.A. in marketing, Ridder joined the Los Angeles Lakers’ public relations department as an intern prior to the 1990-91 season. He was promoted to assistant public relations director in June of 1992 and spent the following six seasons in that capacity with the Lakers. During his tenure in Los Angeles, the Lakers were at the center of the NBA’s stage on numerous occasions, including Magic Johnson’s retirement and comeback, the signing of center Shaquille O’Neal and the presence of young phenom Kobe Bryant.

Ridder is a native of Riverside, Calif., and currently resides in Dublin with his wife, Sanae. He is an avid runner and a die-hard fan of his beloved Wichita State Shockers.