The Official 2026 Public Vote

Your Vote Shapes the Hall

Explore the official candidates and cast your votes for the individuals you believe deserve a place in the United States Athletics Hall of Fame.

Larry O'Brien

  • Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Contributors 2026
  • Larry O'Brien 1961
    Robert LeRoy Knudsen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Sport(s): Basketball Executive
  • Statistics & Accolades: Member of the Basketball Hall of Fame
  • Replacing Maurice Podoloff as NBA commissioner in 1975, Larry O’Brien, who was once the Postmaster General for the United States, got to work quickly by successfully merging the ABA into his league. O’Brien negotiated deals with ESPN and the USA Network, expanding the league’s visibility, and by the time he retired in 1984, gate receipts had doubled. There were no work stoppages during O’Brien’s

    After he retired, the NBA renamed the championship trophy the Larry O'Brien Trophy. David Stern, O'Brien's replacement, may have received a lot of credit for the growth of the NBA, but O'Brien laid the groundwork.

    We are proud to nominate Larry O’Brien for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.
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