Saturday marks the end of Adam Silver’s first year as NBA commissioner.
It’s been an eventful and provocative year, to say the least.
The past 12 months have seen Silver move quickly to put his stamp on the league, earning high marks for leadership, crisis management and deal-making as he went. Here’s a look back at 12 key storylines for Silver since he became commissioner on Feb. 1 last year.
The Collaborative
Commissioner
Feb. 3, 2014: Just days after taking over for David Stern, Silver’s collaborative style of management is evident by the creation of an owners media committee to help negotiate a new TV deal for the league. Silver ultimately will create a second media committee (made up of team executives) as well, both moves seen as a sign of wanting to have a more inclusive negotiating strategy than had been seen from the commissioner’s office previously.
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The Coming Out Party
Feb. 16, 2014 (left): Silver holds his first commissioner’s press conference during the league’s All-Star festivities in New Orleans. Silver sets forth an agenda that emphasizes transparency and openness.
Filling the Cabinet
Feb. 21, 2014: Silver unveils a reorganization of the league office, with a host of new titles and roles for some of his top lieutenants. The changes come after Silver previously had named veteran NBA sales executive Mark Tatum to fill the role of deputy commissioner that Silver had held under Stern. Tatum’s promotion signals Silver’s take on what he wants from his top aide: a sales-focused, consensus-building deputy commissioner who can push forward the league’s business. Staffing moves continue throughout the year, with Kathy Behrens most recently being promoted to president of social responsibility and player programs earlier this month. It marks the first such title in the big four sports leagues and signifies Silver’s commitment to community affairs.
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Banned — ‘for life’
April 29, 2014 (right): Silver responds to an unprecedented early test in his tenure when he announces that Donald Sterling is banned “for life” for his recorded racist comments, setting in motion what turns into the stunning $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Clippers to Steve Ballmer. Silver’s handling of the matter earns the new commissioner widespread praise among players, media and the public.
Marketing Reboot
July 9, 2014: Silver hires Pamela El as the NBA’s chief marketing officer, ushering in a new leaguewide branding approach. She’s also the first to carry the CMO title at the NBA since 1999. Under El, the NBA will begin a more aggressive marketing strategy that includes boosting its marketing spend and buying media outside of traditional NBA assets. The league later in the year dumps longtime ad agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners and hires the Translation agency.
Rest Easy
Aug. 13, 2014: Silver gets more player-centric as the NBA releases its 2014-15 season schedule and includes with it a major change: an extension of the All-Star break. After Feb. 12, games won’t be played again until Feb. 19, giving some teams eight or nine days off compared with what’s been a four-day midseason break for teams in the past.
Turmoil in Atlanta
Sept. 7, 2014: Silver responds to yet another racially charged issue by announcing that the Atlanta Hawks will be sold after owner Bruce Levenson self-reports that he wrote racist emails dating to 2012.
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Media Megabucks
Oct. 6, 2014 (left): Under Silver’s guidance, the NBA announces a blockbuster $24 billion new TV deal with incumbents ESPN and Turner, nearly triple the value of the current deal. Also included is the creation of an over-the-top network in a joint venture with ESPN.
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Marathon Man
Nov. 2, 2014 (left): Silver reaches outside the NBA, running the first three miles of the New York City Marathon as part of a 24-person NBA relay team that is paired with local students to boost community engagement.
First Shots Fired
Nov. 13, 2014: In what could portend a future battle between the NBA and National Basketball Players Association, Silver quickly fires back at newly hired union Executive Director Michele Roberts, who called the league’s salary cap “incredibly un-American.” In his statement, Silver says the salary cap has helped the league grow and helped players earn more money while rejecting Roberts’ “un-American” assertion about how the league pays its players.
Why Not Wager?
Nov. 13, 2014 (right): After allowing NBA teams to sell fantasy sports sponsorships and signing a league deal with FanDuel, Silver stuns the industry by writing an opinion column in The New York Times supporting legalized sports gambling.
A Quick Decision
Nov. 19, 2014: While the NFL fumbles the handling of the Ray Rice domestic abuse incident, Silver quickly and quietly suspends Jeff Taylor of the Charlotte Hornets for 24 games after he pleaded guilty to a domestic violence charge.
