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List of NBA commissioners along with their tenure
- Maurice Podoloff (1946–1963)
- J. Walter Kennedy (1963–1975)
- Larry O’Brien (1975–1984)
- David Stern (1984–2014)
- Adam Silver (2014–present)
List of NBA commissioners, tenure & Notable achievements
Here is the complete list of NBA commissioners throughout history:
| Name | Tenure | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Maurice Podoloff | June 1946 – April 1963 | • First NBA president/commissioner • Negotiated BAA-NBL merger forming NBA in 1949 • Introduced collegiate draft (1947) and 24-second shot clock (1954) • Secured first TV contract |
| J. Walter Kennedy | May 1963 – May 1975 | • Title changed to “commissioner” in 1967 • Expanded league from 9 to 18 teams • Tripled attendance figures • Secured lucrative TV contract |
| Larry O’Brien | June 1975 – January 1984 | • Negotiated ABA-NBA merger • Introduced salary cap and drug-testing policies • Added three-point line (1979) • Secured major broadcasting deal with ESPN |
| David Stern | February 1984 – January 2014 | • Longest-serving commissioner (30 years) • Expanded league to 30 franchises • Created WNBA and G-League • Globalized NBA presence • Eliminated hand-checking rule (2004) |
| Adam Silver | February 2014 – Present | • First commissioner with signature on official game balls • Handled COVID-19 pandemic response • Implemented stricter rules on flagrant fouls • Enhanced global presence through international talent |