Kennedy was born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1910 and attended Yale University, where he earned a degree in law. After graduating, he worked as a lawyer and served in the United States Navy during World War II. After the war, he returned to New Haven and became a successful businessman.
In 1963, Kennedy was appointed as the NBA Commissioner, a position he held for 12 years. During his tenure, he was responsible for the introduction of the 24-second shot clock, the expansion of the NBA to include teams in Seattle and Portland, and the introduction of the ABA-NBA merger. He also worked to improve the image of the NBA, which had been tarnished by the perception of it being a “black league”.
Kennedy was also a strong advocate for the rights of players, and he worked to ensure that they were treated fairly and had access to the same opportunities as other professional athletes. He was also a strong proponent of racial integration in the NBA, and he worked to ensure that the league was open to all players regardless of race.
Kennedy was a beloved figure in the basketball world, and his legacy lives on today. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1975, and his name is still associated with the NBA’s annual J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, which is given to an NBA player who has made a significant contribution to his community.
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