Taking Basketball To the World

By Sean Gregory/New York

Adam Silver has helped direct the NBA's explosive growth overseas. NBA commissioner David Stern tapped the litigator and lifelong Knicks fan as a special assistant a decade ago and in 1997 named him president of NBA Entertainment. Stern eventually moved all the league's off-court businesses to Silver's unit, which now controls the league's worldwide marketing, TV and Internet operations. Since Silver became the business czar in 2000, worldwide merchandising sales have grown 67%. "Adam has overcome his status as a lawyer to understand branding," says Stern. "He's the doer, and I get all the credit." If Stern, 61, were to step down tomorrow, deputy commissioner Russ Granik would no doubt take over. Insiders believe that Silver, who is only 41, would then be next in line. Says Sacramento Kings co-owner Gavin Maloof: "The NBA would be in good hands if Adam were running the show." --By Sean Gregory/New York