Larry O'Brien: From Watergate to NBA Commissioner

There are many unusual connections between American politics and professional sports, but few are as remarkable as the life of Lawrence Francis O'Brien Jr. Before becoming commissioner of the National Basketball Association, Larry O'Brien was one of the most accomplished political strategists in the United States. He helped elect John F. Kennedy president, worked in the White House under Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, served as Postmaster General and chaired the Democratic National Committee during the Watergate scandal.

On June 17, 1972, burglars connected to President Richard Nixon's reelection operation were arrested inside the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. O'Brien was chairman of the DNC, and his office and communications were among the targets of the political intelligence operation. The investigation that followed eventually exposed a cover-up reaching into the White House and contributed to Nixon's resignation in August 1974.

Less than a year after Nixon left office, O'Brien took charge of the NBA. His appointment brought a veteran political negotiator into a league facing financial challenges, competition from the American Basketball Association and questions about its future growth.

During his tenure, the NBA absorbed four ABA franchises, introduced the three-point line, expanded its television relationships, negotiated important labor agreements and grew from 18 to 23 teams. The championship trophy awarded each year to the NBA Finals winner was renamed in his honor in 1984.

O'Brien's story is remarkable because his career connected two seemingly unrelated events: one of the greatest political scandals in American history and the transformation of the NBA into a more modern professional sports league.

Larry O'Brien was born on July 7, 1917, in Springfield, Massachusetts, a city that holds a special place in basketball history. In December 1891, James Naismith invented basketball while working at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield. Nearly three decades later, the same city became the birthplace of a future NBA commissioner.

O'Brien grew up in an Irish-American family with strong connections to local Democratic politics. His father was active in political organization, and the younger O'Brien developed an early interest in campaigning and public service.

According to accounts of his early life, O'Brien began participating in political campaigns when he was approximately 11 years old in 1928. While other children were occupied with school and recreation, he was gaining experience in the organizational work that would eventually become his profession.

O'Brien attended Northeastern University, graduating in 1942. He served in the United States Army during World War II before returning to political work in Massachusetts.

In 1948, he directed the successful congressional campaign of Foster Furcolo. O'Brien subsequently worked as Furcolo's administrative assistant in Washington, D.C., gaining valuable experience with the federal government and the practical workings of Congress.

That combination of campaign organization and legislative experience helped establish O'Brien as an increasingly important figure in Massachusetts Democratic politics.

The 1952 Senate Campaign

In 1952, a young Massachusetts congressman named John Fitzgerald Kennedy challenged Republican incumbent Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. for a seat in the United States Senate. Kennedy's campaign needed a strong statewide political organization, and O'Brien was brought in to help develop it.

O'Brien played a major role in organizing the campaign, coordinating local political workers and developing a statewide structure capable of reaching voters throughout Massachusetts.

Kennedy won the election, beginning a political partnership that would eventually take both men to the White House.

The 1960 Presidential Election

As Kennedy prepared for a presidential campaign, O'Brien became one of his most trusted political advisers. In 1959, he was named director of organization for Kennedy's presidential campaign.

O'Brien's expertise was particularly valuable in managing the complicated network of state organizations, local political leaders and campaign workers necessary to win a national election.

He developed a campaign organization manual that became known as the "O'Brien Manual," reflecting his systematic approach to political operations.

In November 1960, Kennedy defeated Vice President Richard Nixon in one of the closest presidential elections in American history.

The victory brought O'Brien into the White House and established him as one of the leading political organizers of his generation.

Working in the Kennedy White House

After Kennedy became president in January 1961, O'Brien was appointed Special Assistant to the President for Congressional Relations.

His responsibilities were less glamorous than his political reputation might have suggested. Much of his work involved negotiating with members of Congress, building legislative support and helping the administration move proposed laws through the House and Senate.

In practical terms, O'Brien served as an important connection between the White House and Capitol Hill. His understanding of congressional relationships and political negotiations made him valuable to an administration attempting to advance an ambitious domestic agenda.

O'Brien was in Dallas on November 22, 1963, when President Kennedy was assassinated. He was traveling in the presidential motorcade, making the tragedy both a national event and a deeply personal experience.

Lyndon Johnson and the Great Society

Following Kennedy's assassination, O'Brien remained in the White House under President Lyndon B. Johnson.

He continued working on congressional relations during a period of major legislative activity. Johnson's administration pursued landmark measures involving civil rights, voting rights, health care and federal social programs.

O'Brien's legislative experience helped the administration navigate Congress during the development of the Great Society programs.

United States Postmaster General (1965-1968)

In November 1965, President Johnson appointed O'Brien as United States Postmaster General. He became the 60th person to hold the office.

As Postmaster General, O'Brien oversaw a large federal department responsible for delivering mail across the country. His administration pursued modernization, greater efficiency and improvements in postal operations.

O'Brien resigned in April 1968, returning to national political campaigning during another turbulent presidential election year.

The 1968 presidential election unfolded against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, widespread political unrest and growing divisions within the Democratic Party.

After President Johnson announced that he would not seek another full term, O'Brien became involved in Senator Robert F. Kennedy's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

On June 5, 1968, Kennedy won the California Democratic primary. Shortly afterward, he was shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles and died the following day.

The assassination devastated the campaign and created further uncertainty within the Democratic Party.

O'Brien subsequently worked on Vice President Hubert Humphrey's presidential campaign. Humphrey became the Democratic nominee but lost the general election to Richard Nixon.

O'Brien also served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee from August 1968 to January 1969. He returned to that position in March 1970 and remained chairman until July 1972.

His second period as DNC chairman would place him at the center of the Watergate scandal.

The Democratic Headquarters at Watergate

In 1972, the Democratic National Committee maintained offices in the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. O'Brien was chairman of the party organization and a prominent political opponent of President Nixon's reelection campaign.

The Nixon administration and its political allies were intensely interested in gathering intelligence about Democratic campaign strategy, fundraising and internal party operations.

O'Brien had also previously worked as a consultant for interests associated with billionaire Howard Hughes. His relationship with Hughes attracted attention from Nixon's political circle and became part of the speculation surrounding the administration's interest in him.

However, the exact motives behind individual decisions within the Watergate operation remain a subject of historical examination. It would be inaccurate to treat every theory about O'Brien, Hughes and Nixon as an established fact.

June 17, 1972: The Break-In

During the early morning hours of June 17, 1972, five burglars were arrested inside the Democratic National Committee offices at the Watergate complex.

The men were connected to an intelligence-gathering operation associated with Nixon's reelection campaign. The operation involved attempts to obtain political information and install or repair electronic surveillance equipment.

O'Brien's office and communications were among the targets of the operation, making him a central figure in the scandal even though he was not personally involved in carrying out the burglary.

At first, the arrests appeared to be an unusual political crime. Over time, however, journalists, investigators and congressional committees uncovered connections between the burglars, Nixon's political organization and efforts to conceal the administration's involvement.

The Investigation and Nixon's Resignation

Reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of The Washington Post became widely known for their investigation of the scandal. Their reporting, along with work by federal investigators, congressional committees and the courts, helped expose a broader pattern of political espionage and obstruction.

The scandal eventually involved questions about presidential recordings, misuse of government authority and attempts to prevent investigators from discovering the full circumstances of the break-in.

In 1974, the release of White House recordings revealed evidence that undermined Nixon's account of the administration's actions.

Facing the prospect of impeachment and likely removal from office, Richard Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974. He remains the only United States president to have resigned the office.

O'Brien's connection to Watergate was extraordinary: the office of a future NBA commissioner had been targeted during an operation that helped trigger the collapse of a presidency.

Did Larry O'Brien Bring Down Nixon?

It is tempting to say that Larry O'Brien personally brought down Richard Nixon, but the historical record is more complicated.

O'Brien was a target of the Watergate operation and an important political figure in the events surrounding the scandal. Nevertheless, Nixon's resignation resulted from the break-in, the subsequent cover-up, investigations, court proceedings and the release of incriminating evidence.

Various theories have circulated over the years about whether O'Brien possessed additional information concerning the Nixon administration or had a hidden role in exposing the scandal. Such claims should not be presented as established history without reliable supporting evidence.

The verified connection is already remarkable enough: O'Brien was DNC chairman when the Watergate burglary occurred, and he became commissioner of the NBA only three years later.

After Watergate, O'Brien moved away from active national political leadership. In 1974, he published his memoir, No Final Victories, reflecting on his experiences in political organization and government.

In 1975, the National Basketball Association was searching for a new commissioner to succeed J. Walter Kennedy.

The NBA was facing a complicated set of challenges. The league competed with the American Basketball Association for players, fans and television exposure. Team owners were concerned about salaries, financial stability and the future of professional basketball.

O'Brien's background made him an unusual but logical choice. He had extensive experience negotiating with powerful interests, managing complicated organizations and building agreements between competing groups.

On June 1, 1975, O'Brien became the third commissioner in NBA history, following Maurice Podoloff and J. Walter Kennedy.

His appointment marked the beginning of one of the most consequential periods in the league's development.

The 1976 ABA-NBA Merger

One of O'Brien's greatest achievements came almost immediately after taking office.

The American Basketball Association had competed with the NBA since 1967. The ABA introduced a red, white and blue basketball, embraced the three-point line and developed a reputation for exciting, high-scoring basketball.

The competition between the leagues had become increasingly expensive. Teams battled for talented players, driving salaries higher and placing financial pressure on both organizations.

In 1976, negotiations resulted in four ABA franchises joining the NBA:

• Denver Nuggets - Franchise History
• Indiana Pacers - Franchise History
• New York Nets - Franchise History
• San Antonio Spurs - Franchise History

The merger increased the NBA from 18 to 22 teams and brought several outstanding ABA players into the league, including Julius Erving, George Gervin, Artis Gilmore and David Thompson.

The agreement was not a complete merger of every ABA franchise. Other surviving ABA teams, including the Kentucky Colonels and Spirits of St. Louis, did not join the NBA and instead received financial arrangements connected to the settlement.

The merger helped end the costly competition between the leagues and permanently changed professional basketball.

NBA Expansion and Franchise Changes

O'Brien's tenure included significant changes to the league's geographic structure.

The New Orleans Jazz relocated to Salt Lake City in 1979, becoming the Utah Jazz. The Buffalo Braves had previously moved to San Diego in 1978 and became the Clippers.

In 1980, the Dallas Mavericks joined the NBA as an expansion franchise, increasing league membership to 23 teams.

By the time O'Brien retired in 1984, the NBA had grown from the 18 teams it had when he took office to 23 franchises.

The Introduction of the NBA Three-Point Line

In 1979, the NBA introduced the three-point field goal for the 1979-80 season.

The ABA had used the three-point line throughout its existence, and the rule had become one of the rival league's most recognizable innovations.

Initially, the three-point shot was treated by many NBA teams as a novelty rather than a central offensive strategy. Players attempted far fewer three-pointers than they do today, and traditional interior scoring remained dominant.

Over the following decades, however, the three-point line became one of the most influential changes in basketball history. Its adoption during O'Brien's tenure helped reshape offensive strategy and eventually contributed to the modern NBA's emphasis on perimeter shooting.

Television Contracts and League Exposure

Another major challenge involved television.

During the 1970s, the NBA had not yet achieved the national popularity it would enjoy in later decades. Some important playoff games were shown on delayed broadcasts, and television coverage was inconsistent compared with the attention received by other major American sports.

O'Brien worked to strengthen the NBA's television relationships, including agreements with CBS. These arrangements helped provide the league with financial stability and greater national exposure.

Although the NBA's enormous television growth is often associated with his successor, David Stern, O'Brien's administration helped establish the foundation for that expansion.

Labor Relations and Player Agreements

O'Brien also oversaw important developments in relations between the NBA and its players.

Player salaries, free agency and collective bargaining had become increasingly significant issues as professional basketball grew.

During O'Brien's tenure, the league negotiated major agreements with the National Basketball Players Association. These negotiations helped shape the economic structure of professional basketball and established important precedents for later labor agreements.

The NBA also developed initiatives involving player education, drug policy and the relationship between professional basketball and college athletes.

The Rise of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird

O'Brien's years as commissioner coincided with the arrival of two players who would help transform the NBA's popularity: Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Bird joined the Boston Celtics in 1979, while Johnson entered the league with the Los Angeles Lakers that same year.

Their rivalry became one of the defining stories of the 1980s. Their teams met in the NBA Finals several times, although their first Finals matchup against each other occurred in 1984, during the transition from O'Brien's administration to David Stern's.

O'Brien's tenure also included the emergence of other important stars, including Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Isiah Thomas.

These players helped bring new attention to the NBA during a period when the league was becoming more commercially valuable and nationally visible.

Although Larry O'Brien's political career and his work as NBA commissioner were remarkable, his most visible legacy is the trophy awarded to the NBA champion every season.

The modern championship trophy design was introduced in the late 1970s and was originally associated with the Walter A. Brown name. In 1984, following O'Brien's retirement, the NBA renamed the award the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy.

The trophy features a basketball descending toward a hoop and is traditionally made using sterling silver with gold overlay. It has become one of the most recognizable championship awards in professional sports.

Every NBA champion since 1984 has received the trophy bearing O'Brien's name. Millions of basketball fans have seen the award presented following the NBA Finals, even though many are unfamiliar with the political career of the man it honors.

The naming of the trophy ensured that O'Brien's contributions to professional basketball would remain part of the league's identity long after his retirement and death.

Explore the history of NBA championship teams in the NBAHoopsOnline NBA Champions Archive.

O'Brien's influence was not limited to basketball. His long career in Democratic Party politics was also recognized after his death.

In 1992, Democratic Party leaders and O'Brien's family established the Lawrence F. O'Brien Award to recognize distinguished service to the Democratic Party and its ideals.

The award reflected his decades of political organization, campaign leadership and public service.

The existence of awards bearing O'Brien's name in both politics and basketball illustrates the unusual range of his professional achievements.

O'Brien retired as NBA commissioner on January 31, 1984. He was succeeded by David Stern, who would serve as commissioner for the next three decades.

After leaving the NBA, O'Brien continued to be associated with basketball. He served as president of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame from 1985 to 1987.

He died on September 28, 1990, at age 73.

In 1991, O'Brien was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor.

His induction recognized his leadership during the ABA-NBA merger, the introduction of the three-point line, league expansion and the development of important television and labor agreements.

O'Brien had entered professional basketball after spending most of his adult life in politics, yet his contributions helped establish the framework for the NBA's later growth.

Larry O'Brien's career is one of the most unusual in professional basketball history. He was not a former NBA player, coach or team owner. Instead, he arrived in the league after decades of work in national politics, including service to two presidents and involvement in one of the most consequential political scandals in American history.

His skills as an organizer and negotiator proved valuable at a time when the NBA needed stability and a clear direction for the future.

Under O'Brien, the league absorbed its rival, expanded into new markets, adopted the three-point shot and strengthened its business relationships. These developments helped create the conditions for the NBA's later growth under David Stern.

There is also a remarkable geographical connection to basketball history. O'Brien was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, the same city where James Naismith invented the sport in 1891. Decades later, O'Brien helped guide the NBA through a period of transformation that changed how the game was played and presented.

Today, the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy is raised every June by the NBA's champions. The trophy carries the name of a man who helped elect a president, became a target during the Watergate scandal and ultimately helped shape the future of professional basketball.

Few figures in American history have left such a distinctive mark on both national politics and professional sports.

Additional information about Larry O'Brien's political and basketball careers is available through the following historical resources:

• Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame - Larry O'Brien
• National Archives Foundation - Lawrence F. O'Brien
• Springfield College Archives - Lawrence F. O'Brien NBA Papers
• Ronald Reagan Presidential Library - Lawrence Francis O'Brien Jr.
• NBAHoopsOnline - American Basketball Association History
• NBAHoopsOnline - NBA Championship History
• NBAHoopsOnline - James Naismith Biography

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