The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2023
J. Walter Kennedy
- Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2023
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- Sport(s): Basketball Executive
- Statistics: Member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
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Unable to play any sports due to contracting polio as a kid, J. Walter Kennedy still found his way into the sports, first by becoming the sports information director at Notre Dame and late the public relations director for the Basketball Association of America. After doing press for the Harlem Globetrotters, his other love, politics, was going well, as he was elected the mayor of Stamford, Connecticut.
In 1963, Kennedy was chosen to become the new commissioner of the NBA, and there was still a lot of work to do to ensure its future success. Taking a hard-line approach, Kennedy doubled the teams from nine to 18, secured television rights, and led the battle against the ABA. Leaving his job in 1975, the NBA became financially strong, a far cry from what he inherited.
As tough as he was capable of being, Kennedy was also known for his philanthropy and work with the Special Olympics. After his passing in 1977, the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award was created to honor the player or coach for outstanding service and dedication to service.
We are proud to nominate J. Walter Kennedy for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.
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