Finding Aid: Lawrence F. O'Brien Papers

              Springfield College, Springfield, Mass.
Archives and Special Collections Department
Finding Aids
Collection Overview
Creator:
O’Brien, Lawrence F.
Title:
Lawrence F. O’Brien National Basketball Association Papers
Dates:
1970-1990 (bulk 1975-1984)
Call Number:
M4
Extent:
27.00 cubic ft. (27 boxes)
Location:
2/4-6
Historical Abstract:
Lawrence F. O’Brien (LOB) had a long and illustrious career in national politics before being named Commissioner of the National Basketball Association in 1975. Born in Springfield, Mass. in 1917, he received a law degree from Northeastern University in 1942 and served in the Army during World War II. He ran the campaigns of Democratic Party nominees for U.S. president in 1960, 1964, 1968, and 1972 and was twice Chairman of the Democratic Party. Under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, LOB was Special Assistant for Congressional Relations. During his tenure at the NBA, LOB negotiated several landmark labor agreements with the Players Association and record-setting television contracts before retiring from the NBA in 1984. In 1982 he was awarded an honorary degree from Springfield College.
Scope and Content Abstract:
This collection documents Lawrence F. O’Brien’s tenure as Commissioner of the National Basketball Association from 1975 to 1984. More than half of the collection is comprised of governance and administrative information about the policies and procedures and day-to-day operations of the NBA. Records include the meeting agendas and minutes of the board and its committees. Also included are correspondence, financial records, marketing plans, press clippings, subject files, operations manual, memorabilia of the NBA’s 35th anniversary and printed material relating to All-Star Games as well as files related to LOB’s lobbying of Congress and the White House. Of particular note are the legal settlements and collective bargaining agreements with players especially the 1976 Oscar Robertson suit. Also of special importance are the files that comprise negotiations about television contracts. The All-Star Game materials include several photographs of banquets, and there is an audiocassette of one of LOB’s media appearances.
Organization:
Organized into 8 series: 1.Governance; 2. Administration; 3. Legal; 4. Media Relations and NBA Properties Inc.; 5. Personal; 6. Political; 7. 35th Anniversary and Memorabilia; and 8. All-Star Games
Access:
The collection is unrestricted.
Language:
All materials are in English unless otherwise noted.
Administrative Information
Custodial History:
Springfield College acquired the bulk of the collection from Lawrence O’Brien III in 1995. Janice E. Akerhielm, personal secretary to Lawrence F. O’Brien, gave additional material in 2006.
Processing History:
Paige Roberts, March 2007.