Shortly after assuming the Commissioner's role, Silver faced a major challenge when TMZ Sports released a recording on April 25, 2014, of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling making racist remarks. On April 29, Silver responded decisively by issuing Sterling a lifetime ban from the NBA and fining him $2.5 million, the maximum allowable under league rules. Sterling was subsequently forced to sell the team, a move widely praised as a strong stance against racism in sports.
In November 2014, Silver penned an op-ed in The New York Times advocating for the legalization and regulation of sports betting. He argued this would bring transparency and accountability to a widespread but largely underground industry.
In October 2019, Silver was again thrust into controversy when Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for the Hong Kong protests. The issue sparked backlash from Chinese authorities and businesses, prompting Silver to issue a measured response. While calling Morey’s tweet “regrettable,” Silver emphasized the NBA’s support for free expression. His balanced stance generated a bipartisan response in the U.S. and led to strained relations between the NBA and China. Notably, Chinese company Vivo suspended its sponsorship of the league, citing national interests.
On March 11, 2020, Adam Silver made the pivotal decision to suspend the 2019–20 NBA season due to the outbreak of COVID-19, becoming one of the first major sports commissioners to take such a step. In June 2020, the league resumed play with a $170 million investment into a secure "bubble" environment at Walt Disney World in Florida. The initiative, designed to protect the health of players and staff while maintaining competitive integrity, was praised for its effectiveness. Silver later commented, "The bubble was better than we had envisioned."
Adam Silver married Maggie Grise, an interior designer, in 2015. The couple has two daughters, born in April 2017 and May 2020. Silver is known for maintaining a relatively private personal life, despite his highly public role at the helm of one of the world’s most influential sports leagues.
Return to the previous page| Birth Date: | 25 Apr, 1962 |
| Age: | 60 yrs |
| Occupations: | Cinematographer Lawyer Businessperson Jurist |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | New York City |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American businessman and NBA commissioner |
