History of Adam Silver in Timeline

Adam Silver is the current commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA), a role he assumed in 2014. He joined the NBA in 1992 and rose through the ranks, serving as chief operating officer and deputy commissioner under David Stern before succeeding him. Silver's tenure as commissioner has been marked by his progressive stances on social issues, focus on globalizing the NBA, and adaptation to the changing media landscape. He has overseen significant revenue growth for the league, while also navigating controversies and challenges such as player protests and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Full Timeline

April 25, 1962: Adam Silver's Birth

On April 25, 1962, Adam Silver, the future NBA commissioner, was born.

1980: Graduation from Rye High School

In 1980, Adam Silver graduated from Rye High School in Rye, New York.

1984: Graduation from Duke University & Legislative Aide Role

In 1984, Adam Silver graduated from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and started working as a legislative aide to Les AuCoin.

1985: Legislative Aide Role

In 1985, Adam Silver continued working as a legislative aide to Les AuCoin in the U.S. House of Representatives.

1985: Comparison to 1985 "Frozen Envelope" Conspiracy Theory

In 2025, the Dallas Mavericks winning the NBA draft lottery with low odds drew comparisons to the 1985 "frozen envelope" conspiracy theory, which alleged that the 1985 draft lottery was rigged so that the New York Knicks could select Georgetown superstar Patrick Ewing.

1988: Graduation from University of Chicago Law School

In 1988, Adam Silver graduated from the University of Chicago Law School with a J.D. degree.

1992: Joined NBA

In 1992, Adam Silver joined the NBA and held the position of senior VP and COO of NBA Entertainment.

2004: Death of Edward Silver

In 2004, Adam Silver's father, Edward Silver, a lawyer specializing in labor law and a senior partner at Proskauer Rose, passed away.

October 25, 2012: David Stern Announces Retirement and Endorses Silver

On October 25, 2012, NBA commissioner David Stern announced his retirement date and endorsed Adam Silver to succeed him.

February 1, 2014: Adam Silver Assumes Role as NBA Commissioner

On February 1, 2014, Adam Silver officially assumed the role of NBA commissioner after David Stern stepped down.

April 25, 2014: TMZ Releases Video of Donald Sterling's Racist Remarks

On April 25, 2014, TMZ Sports released a video of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling making racist remarks. This event led to significant actions by Adam Silver.

November 13, 2014: Silver Announces Support for Legalized Sports Betting

On November 13, 2014, Adam Silver published an op-ed in The New York Times announcing his support for legalized and regulated sports betting.

2014: Donald Sterling Controversy

In 2014, Adam Silver forced Donald Sterling to sell the Los Angeles Clippers and banned him for life from the NBA after racist remarks made by Sterling were made public. This event brought significant media attention to Silver's leadership.

2014: Dwight Howard Tweet Controversy

In 2014, Adam Silver had Houston Rockets player Dwight Howard remove a "Free Palestine" tweet and apologize, indicating the league's stance on sensitive political issues.

2014: Sports Illustrated Executive of the Year

In 2014, Adam Silver was named the Sports Illustrated Executive of the Year.

2015: Marriage to Maggie Grise

In 2015, Adam Silver married interior designer Maggie Grise.

2015: Executive of the Year by Sports Business Journal

In 2015, Adam Silver was named Executive of the Year by Sports Business Journal, and was also named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People and one of Fortune's 50 Greatest Leaders.

2016: Distinguished Alumnus Award from University of Chicago Law School

In 2016, Adam Silver received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Chicago Law School.

2016: Ranked No. 1 Most Influential Person in Sports Business

In 2016, Adam Silver was ranked No. 1 on Sports Business Journal's list of the 50 Most Influential People in Sports Business.

April 2017: Birth of First Daughter

In April 2017, Adam Silver and his wife, Maggie Grise, welcomed their first daughter.

October 4, 2019: Daryl Morey's Tweet Supporting Hong Kong Protests

On October 4, 2019, Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for the 2019–2020 Hong Kong protests, leading to controversy and backlash from China. The tweet was later deleted.

2019: Suspension of the NBA Season Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2019, Adam Silver made the decision to suspend the 2019–20 NBA season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

March 11, 2020: Suspension of the NBA Season Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 11, 2020, Adam Silver made the decision to suspend the 2019–20 NBA season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

May 2020: Birth of Second Daughter

In May 2020, Adam Silver and his wife, Maggie Grise, had their second daughter.

2020: Daryl Morey's Tweet Supporting Hong Kong Protests

In 2020, the fallout from Daryl Morey's 2019 tweet supporting the Hong Kong protests continued to affect the relationship between the NBA and China, with various Chinese entities cutting ties with the league.

2023: Appointment to the Board of Trustees of NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital

In 2023, Adam Silver joined the board of trustees of NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital.

February 2025: Conspiracy Theories Following Luka Dončić–Anthony Davis Trade

In February 2025, conspiracy theories circulated on social media platforms alleging that Adam Silver and the NBA forced a trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers to boost television ratings. Theories also suggested the Mavericks were intentionally alienating fans to justify a move to Las Vegas.

2025: Mavericks Win NBA Draft Lottery

In 2025, the Dallas Mavericks, with low odds, won the NBA draft lottery, leading to accusations that the lottery was rigged to compensate them for the Dončić–Davis trade, and the Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg.