Walter Kennedy (sports official)
James Walter Kennedy (born June 8, 1912 in Stamford , Connecticut , † June 26, 1977 ibid) was an American manager and sports official and the second commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Kennedy, previously mayor of his hometown Stamford, took over the office from Maurice Podoloff in 1963 and held it until 1975. Under his leadership, the NBA expanded to 18 teams, and he also signed the first TV contract for the NBA.
The J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award is named after Kennedy and is given annually to an NBA player who has distinguished himself through social commitment. On April 27, 1981 Kennedy was posthumously as "promoters" ( Engl. Contributor ) into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame added.
See also
Web links
- James Walter Kennedy in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on hoopshall.com (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Kennedy, Walter |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Kennedy, J. Walter |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American manager, second commissioner of the NBA |
| DATE OF BIRTH | June 8, 1912 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Stamford , Connecticut |
| DATE OF DEATH | June 26, 1977 |
| Place of death | Stamford , Connecticut |