An NBA executive posted a heart-wrenching final message to LinkedIn on Friday as she died of a rare cancer at age 40.
Caroline Klein, who served as the chief communications officer for both the Utah Jazz and NHL’s Utah Mammoth, faced a daunting battle with Stage 4 Proximal Type Epithelioid Sarcoma in her lungs, following a cancer diagnosis in August 2023.
In her last message posted on LinkedIn titled ‘Remember me for the way I lived,’ Klein encouraged everyone to ‘chase all of your dreams with unwavering resolve.’
‘We only have one life to live, and it’s up to you to make the most of it. So strive to view each day as a chance to truly LIVE, rather than just pass the time,’ she expressed.
Klein, who also thanked her ‘wonderful husband,’ Mike, said that her cancer diagnosis hit her ‘like a Mack Truck.’
‘Being the realist I am, my mindset from the outset was, ‘it is what it is.’ Rather than spending any time worrying about how not to die, I focused my cancer journey on living life as fully as I could,’ she explained.
Utah Jazz chief communications officer Caroline Klein has died at the age of 40
Klein is seen leading a Utah Mammoth press conference on May 7 of this year
Klein was highly respected in the communications field and was recognized by the Sports Business Journal in 2024
‘And indeed, I truly lived. As my sister mentioned, from diagnosis to passing, I lived life at full throttle like an F1 car driver, always seeking laughter, beauty, love, joy, adventure, and awe at every corner, cherishing every moment with those I love the most.’
Klein, who spent three years with the Jazz, was recognized as a ‘Forty Under 40’ honoree by the Sports Business Journal last year, and was lauded as ‘one of a kind’ by Ryan Smith, the chairman of the Jazz’s parent company, Smith Entertainment Group.
‘[His wife] Ash and I and the rest of the SEG team will miss her every single day,’ Smith said. ‘She left us a post to read after her passing, a lasting gift and part of her wisdom. Working with CK was a highlight of my career. Her presence — and all she shared — Miss you already CK.’
NBA commissioner Adam Silver also issued a statement on Klein’s passing, writing: ‘The NBA family mourns the passing of our colleague and friend, Caroline Klein. Caroline was a leader within the Smith Entertainment Group, and across the league.
‘Her passion, determination, and generosity left a lasting impact on everyone she met, and she played a pivotal role in making the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Utah an unforgettable celebration of the Jazz organization and the Salt Lake City community.
‘We extend our deepest condolences to her husband, Mike; her family and friends; Ryan and Ashley Smith; and her many colleagues at the Jazz and Utah Mammoth.’
Klein also managed communications for the Delta Center, the home arena for the Jazz and Mammoth.
A graduate of Boston University, Klein previously rose to the role of chief communications officer at Preferred Hotels & Resorts and gained communications experience at a variety of other companies.
In her final message, Klein encouraged others to ‘pursue all of your dreams with an unapologetic determination’
She thanked her ‘wonderful husband Mike’ for standing by her through her struggles
She was remembered by Ryan Smith, the owner of the Jazz’s parent company, as ‘one of a kind’
She also said in her last message: ‘…Do I wish I was able to live another several decades? Of course. But, I absolutely loved my life and wouldn’t have changed a thing.
‘It was an amazing run filled with opportunities to push myself to my limits and feel more alive than ever, as well as times that took me to the bottom and made me dig deep into my soul’s legacy of being a warrior spirit to channel an infallible resilience and overcome incredibly hard things. I was at peace leaving the world knowing that I didn’t leave anything on the table and that I made a great impact on others around me.’
She later continued: ‘To my wonderful husband, Mike, thank you for helping me do it all right until the end. You loved me fiercely, embraced my wildness, and supported my dreams without hesitation. Now, it’s time for you to go live another great act in this life until we meet again in the next.
‘To all of my other dear friends and family, I’ll look forward to seeing you in your dreams where we’ll be dancing to 90s hip hop, eating all of the dumplings, popcorn, soft serve ice cream, and sour candy, hiking mountain after mountain, cheers’ing endlessly while exploring cities abroad, and laughing and dancing all day and night.’
