J. Walter Kennedy
James Walter Kennedy was born on the 8th of June 1912 in Stamford, Connecticut. He contracted polio early in life and this illness left him with a permanent disability. The condition made it impossible for him to compete in sports himself. Despite this physical limitation he remained an avid fan of athletic competition. His career path eventually led him to become a high school coach during the late 1930s. He served as the athletic director at St. Basil's Preparatory School in Stamford. This role marked his first major step into the world of organized sports management.
Kennedy returned to Notre Dame in the 1940s to work as its Sports Information Director. He then moved to the Basketball Association of America as Public Relations Director. This position came just as the league merged with the National Basketball League to form the NBA. He toured the world with the Harlem Globetrotters as Publicity Director throughout much of the 1950s. In 1959 he returned home to Stamford and was elected mayor. The NBA owners selected him as president in 1963. He succeeded Maurice Podoloff who had been known as a likable first president.
Approachable Kennedy became an iron-handed executive once he took office. He let everyone know precisely where he stood on issues from day one. He quickly exerted his authority by slapping Red Auerbach with a $500 fine. This penalty occurred during a pre-season game in 1963 for rowdy conduct. At that time it was the largest fine ever levied against a coach or player in the NBA. His title changed to commissioner in 1967. He also upheld the first protest ever filed in the league. The Chicago Bulls submitted this protest regarding the Phantom Buzzer Game against the Atlanta Hawks in 1969.
Kennedy assumed the helm when the league struggled with only nine teams. There was no television contract and attendance figures were sagging at that moment. Competition came from the American Basketball League which operated between 1961 and 1963. When Kennedy retired as commissioner on the 31st of May 1975 the league had grown to eighteen teams. They landed a lucrative television contract during his tenure. Income experienced a 200 percent boost while attendance figures tripled. He came to power in the waning days of the ABL and retired just before the final season of the American Basketball Association.
Walter Kennedy was instrumental in bringing an annual NBA game to Springfield. This event benefited the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame directly. He served on the Hall of Fame's Board of Trustees for thirteen years. Two of those years he spent as the Hall of Fame's President. Kennedy was inducted into the Hall in 1981 after his retirement. His work helped establish the institution as a central pillar of basketball history. The sports complex at Westhill High School in Stamford now bears his name.
Kennedy died shortly after his 65th birthday in 1977 from liver failure. A brief bout with cancer preceded his death. Howard Cosell delivered the eulogy at his funeral service. Many athletes and dignitaries attended the ceremony including Ella Grasso. She served as Governor of Connecticut at that time. Willis Reed and NBA commissioner Larry O'Brien were present. Eunice Kennedy Shriver also honored him during the proceedings. He is buried at St. John's Cemetery in the Springdale section of Stamford, Connecticut.
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Common questions
When was James Walter Kennedy born and where did he grow up?
James Walter Kennedy was born on the 8th of June 1912 in Stamford, Connecticut. He contracted polio early in life which left him with a permanent disability.
What major role did J. Walter Kennedy hold within the NBA starting in 1963?
The NBA owners selected J. Walter Kennedy as president in 1963 after Maurice Podoloff stepped down. His title changed to commissioner in 1967 and he served until his retirement on the 31st of May 1975.
How many teams existed in the league when J. Walter Kennedy retired compared to when he started?
Kennedy assumed the helm when the league struggled with only nine teams. When Kennedy retired as commissioner on the 31st of May 1975 the league had grown to eighteen teams.
Why is the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award named after him?
J. Walter Kennedy was quite involved in many social causes throughout his later career including support for the Special Olympics. The award recognizes outstanding service and dedication to the community by past recipients like Julius Dr J Erving and Earvin Magic Johnson.
When did James Walter Kennedy die and what caused his death?
Walter Kennedy died shortly after his 65th birthday in 1977 from liver failure. A brief bout with cancer preceded his death before Howard Cosell delivered the eulogy at his funeral service.