This autograph is from the James Furner Collection, a wide array of sports, political, historical and entertainment industry signatures obtained by Mr. Furner over his lifetime and recently consigned to Love of the Game Auctions. Items from the Furner Collection are proudly presented throughout the auction.
Even if Lawrence O'Brien had never become Commissioner of the NBA (we'll get to that), his accomplishments in politics and civil service are significant and make him a key historical figure. His duties included being John F. Kennedy's campaign director for the 1960 presidential election, being U.S. Postmaster General and later Chair of the National Democratic Committee, when this polite 1970 letter was written. PSA/DNA has authenticated Mr. O'Brien's penmanship.
Born in Springfield, MA, the birthplace of basketball, perhaps it was destiny that O'Brien became connected with the game. In 1975 he was named Commissioner of the NBA and served in that capacity until 1984 when David Stern took on the role. While Stern deservedly gets credit for the explosion of the popularity of the NBA, it was on O'Brien's watch that the surviving ABA teams joined the league, the three point shot was added, and Larry Bird and Magic Johnson were drafted and emerged as young stars and personalities.
In 1984 the NBA named the league championship trophy after Lawrence O'Brien, "The L-O-B" as it is now affectionately known. O'Brien passed away in 1990 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991.