Leo Ferris

Leo Ferris (May 31, 1917 – June 1, 1993) [1]was an American sports executive and businessman from Elmira, New York best known for helping invent the 24-second shot clock in the National Basketball Association.[2]

With Ben Kerner and B.W. Grafton, Ferris founded the Buffalo Bisons, which played in the National Basketball League in 1946. The Bisons evolved into the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, based in Moline, Illinois, which eventually became the Milwaukee Hawks, the St. Louis Hawks, and finally today's Atlanta Hawks. He signed Pop Gates, one of the first two African-American players in the NBL, in 1946. He later became NBL vice president and helped orchestrate its eventual merger with the Basketball Association of America, forming what would become today's NBA.

Concerns about a fan-unfriendly slow pace led to discussion of adding a shot clock to NBA games, adding possessions and excitement. Ferris and Danny Biasone — owner of the Syracuse Nationals, where Ferris was general manager — are often given credit for the selection of 24 seconds, though there is evidence Ferris may deserve the lion's share.[2]

Walter A. Brown, the original owner and founder of the Boston Celtics once said of Leo; "Ferris is the only man in the world who can outsell Branch Rickey" – the President of the Dodgers and famed trader of talent. His innovating basketball promotions were ahead of the time . He brought acts like Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Sarah Vaugh, Duke Ellington, and many others to provide halftime entertainment for the Syracuse Nationals home games. Leo boosted attendance and expanded the possibilities of the types of entertainment one could enjoy at a basketball game. "Get an attractive ‘package’, and put it within reach of the greatest possible number of customers. Satisfy the fans, and you have a steady, and increasing, following. That's what pro basketball is doing" He left sports in 1955 and entered the real estate business. Ferris died in 1993, at age 76 of Huntington's disease.

References

  1. ↑ "New York Times". June 5, 1993.
  2. 1 2 "Long-forgotten Leo Ferris helped devise NBA's 24-second clock, first used 61 years ago today". ESPN.com.
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