Maurice Podoloff 1950 NBA signed AUTO letter Basketball HOF – Hockey Legend LOA

Description

Maurice Podoloff (D. 1985), a distinguished lawyer, was a man of impeccable character and was instrumental in the development and success of professional basketball. On June 6, 1946, Podoloff, who was already serving as president of the American Hockey League, was appointed president of the newly formed Basketball Association of America (BAA), becoming the first person to lead two professional leagues simultaneously. After the BAA signed several of the top names in the National Basketball League into the league, Maurice Podoloff negotiated a merger between the two groups to form the National Basketball Association in 1949. As a lawyer with no previous experience, Podoloff's great organizational and administrative skills were later regarded as the key factor that kept the league alive in its often-stormy formative years.
In 17 years as president, Podoloff expanded the NBA to as many as 17 teams, and briefly formed three divisions and scheduled 557 games. During his tenure, Maurice introduced the collegiate draft in 1947. In 1954, he instituted the 24 second shot clock, created by Dan Biasone - owner of the Syracuse Nationals, which quickened the pace of games and took the NBA from a slow plodding game to a fast-paced sport. In 1954, Podoloff also increased national recognition of the game immensely by securing its first television contract. As the president of the NBA, he gave lifetime suspensions to Indianapolis Olympians players Ralph Beard and Alex Groza after they admitted to point shaving while in college at the University of Kentucky. Maurice Podoloff stepped down as NBA president in 1963, having increased fan interest during the NBA's formative years and having improved the overall welfare of the sport of basketball through his foresight, wisdom, and leadership. In his honor, the NBA would name its annual league Most Valuable Player trophy the Maurice Podoloff Trophy.
Offered is an 8.5” x 11” typed letter signed on National Basketball Association letterhead (first year of the league – after the BAA and NBL merged official into the NBA) dated November 11, 1950 to William Horstman who ran Chicago Stadium where the Chicago Stags played their home games.
Great content letter from Podoloff requesting that the team needed to pay up past due money to the league for playoff games.
Interesting glimpse into the early financial dealings of the NBA.
Fantastic historical piece!
LOA Richard Albersheim of Albersheims
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