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Former NBA exec
Bill Marshall, who grew NBA licensing from an afterthought to a multi-billion-dollar retail business, died Saturday at a Westchester County, N.Y. hospital from liver complications. He was 73.
Marshall’s innovations across the licensing business were profound enough that he’s widely acknowledged not only as the father of NBA consumer products, but as a cornerstone figure of the sports licensing boom he helped create in the late 1970’s with
Larry Bird T-shirts at Jordan Marsh stores.
“He was the godfather of sports licensing,’’ said NHL Sr EVP/Marketing & Chief Branding Officer
Brian Jennings, a 33-year employee of the league with a deep history in the licensing business.
Marshall was one of the key lieutenants of former NBA Commissioner
David Stern helping to grow the league’s business to unforeseen levels through the 1980s and 90s. During Marshall’s first 15 years with the league, when he was group vice president and general manager at NBA Properties, league licensing saw spectacular growth, skyrocketing from $10M in retail sales in 1981 to more than $3B in 1996.
Marshall is survived by his wife
Betty; three children:
John,
Sarah, and
Claire; and three grandchildren. No immediate public service is planned, but a celebratory tribute later this summer is being considered.
