 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2019) |
Larry O'Brien | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 3rd Commissioner of the NBA | |
| In office June 1, 1975 – January 31, 1984 | |
| Preceded by | J. Walter Kennedy |
| Succeeded by | David Stern |
| Chair of the Democratic National Committee | |
| In office March 5, 1970 – July 14, 1972 | |
| Preceded by | Fred R. Harris |
| Succeeded by | Jean Westwood |
| In office August 30, 1968 – January 14, 1969 | |
| Preceded by | John Moran Bailey |
| Succeeded by | Fred R. Harris |
| 57th United States Postmaster General | |
| In office November 3, 1965 – April 10, 1968 | |
| President | Lyndon B. Johnson |
| Preceded by | John A. Gronouski |
| Succeeded by | W. Marvin Watson |
| White House Director of Legislative Affairs | |
| In office January 20, 1961 – November 3, 1965 | |
| President | John F. Kennedy Lyndon B. Johnson |
| Preceded by | Bryce Harlow |
| Succeeded by | Barefoot Sanders (1967) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lawrence Francis O'Brien Jr. July 7, 1917 Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | September 28, 1990 (aged 73) New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Elva Brassard (m. 1945) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Northeastern University (LLB) |
Lawrence Francis O'Brien Jr. (July 7, 1917 – September 28, 1990) was an American politician and basketball commissioner. He was one of the United States Democratic Party's leading electoral strategists for more than two decades. He was Postmaster General in the cabinet of President Lyndon Johnson and chair of the Democratic National Committee. O'Brien was also commissioner of the National Basketball Association from 1975 to 1984, and the NBA Championship Trophy is named after him.
O'Brien, son of Irish immigrants, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. When he was not working in politics, O'Brien managed his family's real estate and worked in public relations.