Suns President and Chief Executive Officer Rick Welts is resigning after running the franchise’s business side for nine years.

Less than four months after jolting the sports world by becoming the first pro sports team senior executive to be openly gay, Welts jolted his own organization Friday by sharing plans to leave what he has called the best jobs in sports on his own accord.

Welts told The Arizona Republic Friday morning that he is not leaving for another job but to be in another city.

“This isn’t one of those departures to see greener pastures. It really is completely a personal situation. These guys have been tremendously accommodating and any other inference than that is absolutely crazy.”

The Suns are allowing Welts to leave his contract nearly 10 months early. His final work day is Sept. 15. General Counsel Jason Rowley is being promoted to executive vice president and will handle Welts’ duties on an interim basis. He will be a candidate in a national search to fill the position.

via Paul Coro of the Arizona Republic