When was Lawrence Francis O'Brien Jr. born and where?
Lawrence Francis O'Brien Jr. was born on the 7th of July 1917 in Springfield, Massachusetts to Irish immigrant parents.
Questions about Larry O'Brien
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What role did Larry O'Brien play during John F. Kennedy's presidency?
John F. Kennedy appointed O'Brien as director of his successful U.S. Senate election campaign in Massachusetts during 1952. He accompanied President Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy on their trip to Texas in November 1963 while riding in the motorcade through Dallas. As an eyewitness to the assassination he witnessed the moment the president was declared dead before accompanying the coffin back to Air Force One at Love Field.
How did Larry O'Brien affect passenger train services as Postmaster General?
During his tenure as Postmaster General in September 1967 the Post Office Department cancelled many mail by rail contracts. They elected to move First Class mail via air and road transport instead of using existing railroad infrastructure. This decision had a devastating effect on passenger train revenues and led directly to the end of many passenger rail routes.
Which teams joined the NBA when Larry O'Brien oversaw the ABA-NBA merger?
O'Brien oversaw the ABA-NBA merger when the Denver Nuggets San Antonio Spurs Indiana Pacers and New York Nets joined the league. League growth expanded from eighteen teams to twenty-three teams including four ABA teams and the expansion Dallas Mavericks.
When did Larry O'Brien bring the NBA to cable television networks?
O'Brien brought the NBA to cable television through ESPN and USA networks in 1982 establishing the league as a pioneer of cable TV. He coordinated the NBA's richest TV contract to date in 1982 which significantly increased national exposure for professional basketball.