Russ Ball, entering his 36th season in the NFL, begins his 17th season in Green Bay and seventh as the organization's executive vice president/director of football operations after serving 10 seasons as vice president of football administration/player finance. During his time with the Packers, Ball has helped lead the team to 12 playoff appearances, eight NFC North crowns and a Super Bowl title (XLV).
Named to his current position on Jan. 8, 2018, Ball brings a vast array of experience to the Packers' front office and is highly involved in all team decisions both on and off the playing field. He is responsible for negotiating player contracts and managing the salary cap, in addition to the daily supervision of football-administration departments including equipment, video, logistics and team travel, corporate travel, player engagement, family programs and fields.
"Since joining the Packers in 2008, Russ has proven to be invaluable," said Packers President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Murphy. "His salary-cap management and negotiating abilities are well known, but he has also provided tremendous leadership throughout football operations and served as a valuable liaison between the football and business sides of the organization. His diverse skills will remain important to our success moving forward."
Before coming to Green Bay, Ball spent six seasons (2002-07) with the New Orleans Saints, the final two as vice president of football administration and the first four as senior football administrator. His responsibilities with the Saints included monitoring the salary cap, contract negotiations and roster management, as well as maintaining the team's compliance with NFL and Management Council regulations. Ball also coordinated different areas of the football operations, and was involved in several other administrative functions with the club.
During his time in New Orleans, Ball also served in a similar capacity with the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League from 2004-07. He was selected by the Saints to attend the 2005 NFL Managers Program at Stanford University's Executive Education Graduate School of Business.
Ball spent the 2001 season as director of football administration for the Washington Redskins, where his duties included managing the salary cap as well as team operations, as he oversaw the video, athletic training, equipment, strength and conditioning, and player development departments.
Ball served as senior football administrator for the Minnesota Vikings from 1999-2000, where he assisted with salary-cap management and player contracts. He began working in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs and spent 10 seasons (1989-98) there, the final two in football operations as administrative assistant to then-head coach Marty Schottenheimer. Ball began his career with the Chiefs as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.
A 1981 graduate of the University of Central Missouri, Ball was a four-year letterman at center for the Mules. He served as head strength and conditioning coach at the University of Missouri from 1982-89 and earned his master's degree in human performance from Missouri in 1990.
Ball was born in Moberly, Mo. He and his wife, Diana, reside in Green Bay. Away from football, Ball enjoys spending time with the couple's two children, Andrea and Joe, daughter-in-law, Ellie, and their granddaughter.
