Wednesday, 04 December 2024

    Maurice Podoloff

    • Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2024
    • Sport(s): Basketball Executive
    • Statistics: Member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
    • Maurice Podoloff had opened the New Haven arena in 1926 and would later be the president of the American Hockey League. When his friend, Walter A. Brown, founded the Boston Celtics and helped spearhead the formation of the Basketball Association of America, Podoloff was selected as the first commissioner.

      Podoloff oversaw the merger between the BAA and its rival, the National Basketball League, which resulted in the modern NBA. Holding his role until 1964, Podoloff grew the sport, expanding to 17 teams, and with the advice of his vice-president, Leo Ferris instituted the 24-second shot clock, which transformed the speed of the game.

      We are proud to nominate Maurice Podoloff for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.
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