James Goldstein
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James Goldstein is a multi-millionaire "NBA superfan" who attends over one hundred NBA games each season (typically in courtside seats), including approximately 95 percent of home games for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers. He also travels from city to city to catch games, especially during the NBA Playoffs (and not necessarily Lakers and Clippers playoff games). He also frequently attends post-game press conferences. His unique and flamboyant clothing makes him fairly easy to spot on television. His passion for the NBA has been featured in USA Today, the Detroit Free Press, the Wall Street Journal, the Boston Globe, and ESPN the Magazine.
"He has so much invested in our sport," NBA commissioner David Stern said. "He probably has the largest investment of any fan in America, so we get a kick out of him. He has got quite a flair, and we love him as a sort of a superfan."
Reportedly the son of a Milwaukee department store owner, Goldstein said he began watching NBA games as a 10-year-old. At the age of 15 he was hired to keep game statistics by the Milwaukee Hawks. "Once I did that and sat courtside for the games, I was totally hooked," he said. "My entire life has been devoted to professional basketball since then. I have such a passion for the game. I think there's more athleticism displayed in basketball than in any other sport."[1] He has also befriended several current and former NBA players, including Wilt Chamberlain, Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon, Sam Cassell, and Dennis Rodman.
Unlike some other "super fans," however, Goldstein is content to simply observe the games and enjoy them, without yelling at referees or taunting players. He claims to have no favorite team, in spite of his Lakers and Clippers season tickets. He describes himself as a fan of the NBA in general.[2]
Goldstein refuses to disclose how he made his fortune or his net worth, although the Wall Street Journal speculated that Goldstein made billions in real estate (notably Century City in Los Angeles) [3] When asked, he typically responds, “Let’s just say I had some investments that worked out pretty well." He reportedly spends in excess of six figures on travelling to and attending NBA games. "I try not to think about the cost," he said. "It's worth it to me."[4]
[edit] Goldstein's House
Goldstein's house has been featured in several media articles, including the Robb Report, Town & Country, Architectural Digest, and the New York Times Magazine. The house was designed by John Lautner, a student/disciple of Frank Lloyd Wright, in 1963. Goldstein purchased the property in the 1970s from previous owners who did not keep the house in good condition. Goldstein commissioned Lautner to make changes and improvements to the house. His most recent investment in the house is an installation by light artist James Turrell in a concrete structure below the main residence, known as "Skyspace" or "Sky Box," which was described by the London Telegraph as "a high-tech lair fit for a Bond villain."[5]
Goldstein worked closely with Lautner and Helene Arahuete, who took over after Lautner's death in 1994. "I wanted to remake the house exactly as John (Lautner) would have wanted it, and to introduce technology that didn't exist 30 years ago," Goldstein explained. He reportedly continues to make improvements to the house.[6]
Goldstein's house has also been featured in a number of movies, including Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle and The Big Lebowski.
[edit] References
- ^ Bob Young, Hat's Off to NBA's No. 1 Fan, Boston Globe, May 7, 2005.
- ^ Bob Sansevere, Wolves have at least 1 L.A. fan, St. Paul Pioneer-Press, May 24, 2004.
- ^ Matthew Gurewitsch, On the Path to Illumination, Wall Street Journal, December 29, 2004.
- ^ Bob Young, Hat's Off to NBA's No. 1 Fan, Boston Globe, May 7, 2005.
- ^ Bob Young, Hat's Off to NBA's No. 1 Fan, Boston Globe, May 7, 2005.
- ^ http://www.jamesfgoldstein.com/architecture_moderismreborn.html
