Larry O'Brien

Larry O'Brien
Born	(1917-07-07)July 7, 1917 Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	September 28, 1990(1990-09-28) (aged 73) New York City, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Political figure
Known for	Democratic National Committee Chairman, Postmaster General of the United States

Lawrence Francis "Larry" O'Brien, Jr. (July 7, 1917 – September 28, 1990) was an influential American political figure, known for his roles as a Democratic Party political strategist, Postmaster General of the United States, and Commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was a pivotal figure in American politics during the 1960s and 1970s.

Early Life and Education

Larry O'Brien was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, into a politically active family. He pursued his education at the Northeastern University School of Law, where he earned a law degree.

Political Career

O'Brien began his political career in his native Massachusetts, quickly rising through the ranks of the Democratic Party. He became a notable figure in national politics when he served as the campaign manager for John F. Kennedy's presidential campaigns in 1960 and 1968. Following Kennedy's election, O'Brien was appointed as the Postmaster General of the United States, where he served from 1965 to 1968.

During his tenure as Postmaster General, O'Brien was responsible for significant modernizations of the United States Postal Service, including the introduction of ZIP codes to streamline mail delivery.

Role in the Democratic National Committee

O'Brien's most notable role came as the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) from 1968 to 1972, and again from 1975 to 1977. His leadership during the turbulent political climate of the 1970s was marked by efforts to reform the party's structure and electoral strategies.

His tenure at the DNC was dramatically affected by the Watergate scandal, as he was one of the primary targets of the 1972 break-in at the DNC headquarters, which was later revealed to be orchestrated by members of the Richard Nixon administration.

NBA Commissioner

In 1975, O'Brien transitioned from politics to sports administration when he was appointed the Commissioner of the NBA, a position he held until 1984. During his tenure, he presided over a period of significant growth and popularity for the league, including the merger of the NBA with the American Basketball Association and the introduction of the three-point line.

Legacy and Death

Larry O'Brien passed away on September 28, 1990, in New York City. His legacy in both politics and sports remains significant. The NBA's championship trophy was named the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy in his honor in 1984.

See Also

• Democratic National Committee
• Watergate scandal
• National Basketball Association