USA Gymnastics turns to the NBA to flee.

The besieged organization announced Tuesday that it hired Li Li Leung, vice president of global partnerships of the NBA, as the new president and chief executive officer. She will be the fourth CEO of USA Gymnastics in the last 23 months.

"I was in an excellent position at the NBA and I was not looking to leave. Gymnastics has been a big part of my life and, to this day, I am still enrolled in this sport, "said Leung during a conference call. "It really broke my heart to see where this sport was. That forced me to move forward.

"We can do better for the community and the sport," she added.

Who is Leung? What you need to know about the new USA Gymnastics CEO

USA Gymnastics is struggling to escape the crisis triggered by the revelation that Larry Nassar, a long-time team doctor, has assaulted more than 350 girls and young women, including Olympic champion Simone Biles and McKayla Maroney. Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman. Survivors, federal lawmakers and independent investigators Ropes & Gray have blamed the federation for promoting a culture that kills athletes and allows predators like Nassar to flourish.

She is facing survivor lawsuits and an effort by the US Olympic Committee to decertify the USA Gymnastics as the national governing body of the sport, and has lost all of its major sponsors. She filed for bankruptcy in December, putting an end to all court proceedings, although Ms. Leung said one of her top priorities would be to reach a settlement with the survivors.

She also said that she had already spoken to USOC Executive Director Sarah Hirshland, and stated that "both parties are committed to working closely to resolve the problem of decertification."

In a statement, Hirshland expressed cautious optimism when hiring Leung.

"American gymnasts deserve the support of a world-class organization and providing top-level management is one of the most important aspects of the way forward by USA Gymnastics," said Hirshland. "Li Li Lueng is an accomplished professional, herself a former gymnast, and is committed to transforming the sport culture.

"I really hope Li Li's combination of experience and desire to lead will be a positive force for change in the lives of gymnasts from across the country."

Leung's only resume makes her a more promising choice than the last two CEOs, who were either overworked (Kerry Perry) or deaf-mute (Mary Bono). Leung was a competitive gymnast, part of the US 1988 Pan American Junior Team and Michigan, winning four Big Ten titles.

She taught at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and then worked in marketing for Helios Partners, including managing customer service teams for sponsors of the Beijing Olympics. She joined the NBA in 2015 and was responsible for the growth of the league's sponsors.

Although Leung's marketing experience is instrumental in attracting sponsors to a brand that has become toxic despite being one of the most popular Olympic sports, she said it would not be her immediate goal. Her priorities, when she will begin next month, will be to resolve disputes, collaborate with the USOC and implement the Deborah Daniels report's recommendations.

She also plans to meet survivors and current athletes. This includes Biles, who is both the most profitable star in the federation and his most powerful critic. USA Gymnastics has been steadily organizing camps on Karolyi Ranch, where some Nassar abuses were committed, after Biles said she did not want to go back, and that her critics on both Perry and Bono had contributed to their downfall.

"We must first put our business in order," said Leung. "Once we have put our affairs in order, once we have a solid foundation, we can start talking with partners.

While Perry and Bono talked about creating an "athlete-centric" organization, it always sounded more like a buzzword than a belief. But it seems more sincere coming from Leung, given his experience. She began gymnastics at the age of 7 and trained for most of her career at the North Stars Gymnastics Academy in Boonton, New Jersey.

While reading the Ropes & Gray Report, which details the failures of the US Gymnastics and the USOC to prevent predators like Nassar from entering the sport, Leung said that she was "safe". 39, identified with impotence expressed by the athletes.

"There was a section inside there on the gymnasts who had suffered in silence, the gymnasts having sacrificed their childhood, the gymnasts competing on broken bones," said Leung. "Reading this, I felt like reading my memoir.

"To a certain extent, I am also a recovering gymnast."

She spoke of the mental strength required by sport and the need to find healthier ways to achieve it, especially because children start the sport at such a young age.

"Athlete safety will be paramount in what we do," Leung said. "When I talk about safety, I'm talking about emotional, physical and mental well-being. I'm talking about the whole package. "

Leung knows that straightening USA Gymnastics will not be an easy task, calling it "big mountain". But she believes in sports and believes that her experience – both professional and sporty – will allow her to do it.

"I would not have taken a job if I did not think I could succeed," said Leung.