The Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy stands as one of the most recognizable symbols in all of professional sports, yet few fans know the story behind its unique design and name. This gleaming trophy, awarded to the victors of the NBA Finals, replaced the earlier Walter A. Brown Trophy and honors a man who was instrumental in shaping the modern National Basketball Association. Understanding why the NBA championship trophy is named after Larry O'Brien requires a look at the history of the league, the politics of Washington D.C., and the evolution of the game itself.
The Era of the Walter A. Brown Trophy
Before discussing Larry O'Brien, one must first acknowledge the trophy he succeeded. From the league's early days until 1977, the championship was symbolized by the Walter A. Brown Trophy, named after the legendary general manager of the Boston Celtics. This trophy was a large, silver, octagonal structure that resembled a traditional loving cup. While prestigious, it was also cumbersome and expensive to produce. By the mid-1970s, the NBA decided a new design was necessary, leading to the retirement of the old trophy and the commissioning of a successor that would better represent the league's growing stature.
Introducing the New Trophy
In 1977, the NBA unveiled a new trophy designed by the renowned trophy company Tiffany & Co. The new design was a stylized basketball rising from a base, featuring a dramatic, elongated shape that immediately set it apart from its predecessor. The league needed a name for this iconic new object, and the choice was clear: name it after Larry O'Brien. At the time, O'Brien was serving as the NBA Commissioner, a position he held from 1975 to 1984. His leadership during a period of significant labor strife and growth solidified his place in league history, making him a fitting namesake for the championship prize.
Larry O'Brien's Political Career
Larry O'Brien was not just a sports executive; he was a seasoned political operator whose career read like a history of mid-20th century America. He served as the United States Postmaster General under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was a key figure in Democratic politics, managing presidential campaigns for John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy. His transition to the NBA was seen as a effort to legitimize the league and provide strong administrative leadership during a time of intense negotiation with the players' union.
Legacy and Impact
O'Brien's tenure as Commissioner was defined by his successful navigation of the 1979 strike, which ultimately led to the landmark television deal with CBS and the ABA-NBA merger. He was a consensus builder who understood the business side of the game as well as its athletic drama. Naming the trophy after him was a permanent reminder of his contributions to the league. Even after his death in 1990, the trophy remained a testament to his influence, and he was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991.
The Trophy's Design Evolution
While the name has remained constant, the visual presentation of the Larry O'Brien Trophy has undergone subtle changes over the decades. The original design featured a golden basketball with silver filigree. In 2010, the NBA unveiled a redesigned trophy that increased its size, made it heavier, and gave it a more polished, gleaming appearance. The new version, crafted by Tiffany & Co., features a larger basketball sphere raised above the base, giving it a more dynamic and energetic appearance that reflects the athleticism of the players who compete for it.
