23 Aug Brooklyn Nets Equipment Manager Joe Cuomo: Equipment Management Is Way More Than Doing Laundry
Joe Cuomo is an Equipment Manager for the Brooklyn Nets. This means that Joe leads the charge on a myriad of logistical aspects of the Nets organization from equipment and apparel inventory to transport. I first learned of Joe Cuomo during the 2019 NBA Summer League when he was on court presenting a cheque to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with fellow equipment managers. Joe is extremely intelligent, pleasant, selfless, and inquisitive and it was a pleasure to chat with him about his career in sport. He talks about managing equipment for the Brooklyn Nets entails and what some of the challenges are in such a unique role. Enjoy!
Tell us about your role as the Equipment Manager with the Brooklyn Nets.
As the Equipment Manager for the Brooklyn Nets, I oversee all Equipment Operations and Team Travel Logistics. No one singular day is the same as the next, each presenting its own demands and challenges. One aspect of my job that is always present is the need to be proactive and prepared weeks (sometimes months) ahead. I begin each day by sending and responding to emails.
Once that is complete, I’m working on itineraries, placing orders, and booking hotels/flights for anyone needing travel accommodations. Handling equipment and working with players is my passion. I make it a point to be on the court and around the locker room to ensure the players have what they need to be able to perform at the highest level. Their needs can often take the form of having the right pair of sneakers, the right bag for their shoes and clothes, padded compression, or something as simple as an extra pair of socks.
Throughout the day, I am still receiving a steady stream of emails, so I periodically return to my office to handle any urgent matters. I am able to do this by relying heavily on my Team Attendants to handle the laundry and ensure the cleanliness of the court and locker room areas.
Now to Pre-Season:
Perhaps the most intense part of the year for me! During preseason, I’m still trying to get a feel for the new players’ habits and preferences. Communication is key! That applies not only with the players but also with the Performance staff and Coaches. I start preparing for how equipment is going to be packed and stored for travel. As the main person handling equipment on the road, I have learned that procuring the proper trunks, cases and bags is crucial to the overall success and efficiency of team travel.
During Season (& Playoffs):
The intensity of the season does wind down a bit as processes and habits become ingrained and established. Nevertheless, it is important for me to continue to be a step ahead with travel itineraries, hotel room lists and flight manifests, practices on the road, and meal orders.
One main responsibility that is very time-consuming is ordering our Nike gear for the following season (yes, we actually have to order gear a whole year in advance!). This means that I will have to place my 2020-21 season order by the beginning of November 2019. This task can be very challenging especially when you consider how much an NBA roster can change over the course of a year and off-season. Knowing how to properly forecast and keep up with industry trends is very important when it comes to placing the big season order.
If we are fortunate enough to make the playoffs, nothing really changes process-wise. I would like to think it is important to continue with the routines and procedures that helped us get to this point. Nevertheless, it is necessary to be more attentive, proactive, detailed when more meaningful games are being played.
