EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Executive Leadership is responsible for setting NBXL’s strategic vision, overseeing league operations, and guiding the organization’s long-term growth. Working alongside the Basketball Operations team and Advisory Board, Executive Leadership is committed to building a world-class professional basketball league and global sports and entertainment platform.
Christian Villar is the Founder, Chairman, and Sole Owner of NBXL, founder of The Pros Brand, and creator of Winning Where It Matters®—a philosophy, mindset, and lifestyle centered on defining and achieving success on your own terms.
For more than two decades, Villar has worked across professional sports, business development, branding, media production, athlete representation, consulting, and entrepreneurship. His vision has evolved from building a single basketball team into creating a fully integrated sports and entertainment ecosystem that includes a global professional basketball league, a direct-to-consumer streaming platform, an apparel brand, original programming, international events, and community initiatives.
After graduating from Seton Hall University with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences, with honors and minors in Psychology and Business Administration, Villar pursued a professional basketball career overseas. Upon returning to the United States, he founded the NJ-PROS in 2009, serving as both founder and player while transforming the organization from a local basketball team into a nationally recognized and internationally respected professional basketball organization.
Under Villar’s leadership, NBXL has established relationships with internationally recognized business executives, sports leaders, entrepreneurs, and strategic advisors while developing partnerships and initiatives across the United States, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and beyond. The league’s vision is to become a global destination for professional basketball while providing family- and faith-based sports entertainment through its own direct-to-fan platform.
Today, Villar oversees every aspect of NBXL, including league operations, business strategy, media production, global partnerships, team development, branding, technology, and long-term international expansion.
ADVISORY BOARD
NBXL’s Advisory Board brings together accomplished leaders in professional sports, global business, finance, branding, and international development. Their collective experience provides strategic guidance that supports the league’s long-term vision, governance, and global growth.
BILL JANETSCHEK
Bill Janetschek is an accomplished global business executive with decades of leadership experience in finance, corporate governance, and private equity. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at St. John’s University and is a part owner of Major League Baseball’s Miami Marlins. Previously, he served as Partner and Chief Financial Officer of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), one of the world’s leading global investment firms, before retiring in 2020.
As Advisory Board Chairman, Janetschek provides strategic guidance to NBXL’s executive leadership, drawing on his extensive experience in governance, finance, and long-term organizational growth to help support the league’s global vision and sustainable expansion.
JOE & JULIE FOSTER
Joe Foster is the co-founder of Reebok and a globally recognized entrepreneur whose leadership helped build one of the world’s most iconic athletic footwear brands. Julie Foster is the Managing Director of JW Foster Heritage Ltd., preserving the legacy of one of the most influential names in sports footwear while supporting global brand initiatives.
Together, they provide NBXL with strategic guidance in entrepreneurship, global brand development, innovation, and long-term business growth, helping support the league’s vision for building a world-class sports and entertainment brand.
DUNSTAN PAUL ROZAIRO
Dunstan Paul Rozairo has served as Managing Director of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Obaid Al Maktoum’s Private Office since 1989, overseeing major business initiatives and multi-million-dollar projects throughout the United Arab Emirates. With more than three decades of executive leadership and international business experience, he has built an extensive network across the public and private sectors.
As an Advisory Board Member, Rozairo provides NBXL with strategic guidance in international business development, regional partnerships, and long-term growth initiatives, helping strengthen the league’s presence and opportunities throughout the Middle East.
OKSANA WALKER
Oksana Walker is an international business executive and entrepreneur who serves as an official mandate for a number of Sheikh’s Offices and sits on the advisory boards of several respected companies and charitable organizations. She is also a shareholder and business owner with experience supporting strategic investments and international business development.
As an Advisory Board Member, Walker provides NBXL with strategic guidance in international partnerships, business development, investment opportunities, and global expansion initiatives.
ABDULRAHEEM ALHASHEMI
Abdulraheem Alhashemi is a respected sports executive with extensive experience in event strategy, sponsorship, and sports development in the United Arab Emirates. Through leadership roles with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, he has contributed to the planning and evaluation of major international sporting events while supporting initiatives that promote sports participation and global partnerships.
As an Advisory Board Member, Alhashemi provides strategic guidance to NBXL on international growth, event development, and opportunities to strengthen the league’s presence throughout the Middle East.
Basketball Operations
Our Basketball Operations team is responsible for the competitive vision of NBXL, providing leadership in coaching, player development, talent evaluation, and basketball strategy to help deliver a world-class professional basketball experience.
Craig Hodges
Craig Hodges is a two-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls, two-time NBA championship assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers, and the only player alongside Larry Bird to win three consecutive NBA Three-Point Contests.
As Head Coach of the Expo City Innovators, one of NBXL’s founding franchises, and Senior Basketball Advisor, Hodges provides leadership in player development, coaching, competition, and the league’s basketball operations. Prior to joining NBXL, he coached the NJ-PROS during the organization’s independent professional years, including international exhibition games against the Dominican Republic National Team.
Felipe López
Felipe López is a former NBA player, St. John’s University legend, and internationally respected basketball ambassador. A former NJ-PROS player and coach, López played a key role in the organization’s growth, participating in national and international tours, including games against the USA World Cup Qualifying Team and the Dominican Republic National Team. In recognition of his contributions to the organization, his NJ-PROS jersey was officially retired.
As Senior Basketball Advisor, López provides strategic guidance in basketball operations, player development, and league growth while helping strengthen NBXL’s commitment to excellence on and off the court.
Rich Rowbotham
Rich Rowbotham has been part of the NJ-PROS organization since its founding in 2009, contributing to basketball operations, marketing, strategic partnerships, and community relations. With more than two decades of coaching and sports management experience, he has worked with professional and youth sports organizations while helping develop the operational foundation that now supports NBXL.