Adam Silver, NBA Agree to Extension through the 2020s
New York, NY (PSF) — Adam Silver will be the NBA’s Commissioner for the foreseeable future.
Yesterday, Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the National Basketball Association and its commissioner Adam Silver agreed to a contract extension that would secure his position as Commissioner through the end of the decade, 2029.
Silver began working for the NBA in 1992. After working for the NBA in a variety of positions, he became the Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Commissioner in 2006, under former Commissioner David Stern who mentored him during his time working for the NBA.
Silver became the Commissioner of the NBA officially on February 1st, 2014.
Since he took over the Commissioner position, Silver has facilitated major growth of the NBA as a brand, expanding the NBA’s influence to global markets such as China, Africa France, Mexico, and Japan. In terms of Sports business, Silver has helped grow the fanbase of the NBA to the global markets by scheduling games around the globe and has upgraded the NBA’s marketing to make facilitate its growth as a financial brand as well.
As the Commissioner, he has impacted the game of basketball in a number of ways. He took part in the last three collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with the Players’ Association, promoted and developed the WNBA and G-League, and as I mentioned earlier, expanded the NBA’s influence outside of the United States and Canada.
Silver has made a plethora of highly impactful moves within the NBA itself.
In 2014, just months after being appointed Commissioner, Silver banned then-Los Angeles Clippers Owner Donald Sterling from the NBA for life, for the racist remarks made in a video.
In 2020, Silver made the decision to suspend the 2019-2020 NBA season, in wake of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. He also facilitated the finishing of that season in the Orlando “bubble”, where the season finished at the Disneyworld resort in Orlando in an isolated environment.
He has implemented changes to the construction and implications of the NBA season, including the In-Season Tournament
Adjusted the NBA lottery process that discouraged tanking
The creation of digital NBA financial assets such as NBA Top Shot, similar to NFTs where fans can purchase digital symbols of their favorite players and moments
Established NBA programs in China and Africa to help the game of basketball grow and encourage the play of basketball.
Although Silver has been highly impactful, one aspect of his tenure that has stood out is his process of discipline for criminally charged NBA players. Notably, criminally charged players such as Miles Bridges had seen minimal attention and discussion from Silver, while players who are the face of the league, like Ja Morant, received much more attention and harsh punishment.
There has been discrepancies with how he has treated situations like this. Some situations have been slaps on the wrists like Bridges, seemingly not enough punishment, while other players like Morant, who made a regrettable decision and mistake but did not physically hurt someone like Bridges, got an eye-raising suspension in which seemed like someone being made an example of.
Thus, Silver has faced wide criticism for his handling of incidents and trouble with his players, much of which is justified. However, he has helped the game of basketball grow and appeal to many around the globe, which basketball fans in general can appreciate in the wide scope of things.
