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, 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.[3] 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]

His innovating basketball promotions were ahead of the time . He brought acts like Bob Hope, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Sarah Vaugh, Duke Ellington, and many others to perform in Syracuse. Many of them 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.

Hall Of Fame

Leo Ferris has twice been nominated to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame (2016 & 2017)[4] by the Veterans Committee.

Mr. Ferris is a member of the The Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame[5], Chemung County Sports Hall of Fame,[6] & the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame[7]

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.
  3. ↑ Kirst, Sean (2016-12-29). "Team that's now Atlanta Hawks bailed on Buffalo 70 years ago". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 2017-01-19.
  4. ↑ "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announces Eligible Candidates for the Class of 2017". Retrieved 2016-12-27.
  5. ↑ "Bob McKenney, Leo Ferris among 8 new inductees to Greater Syracuse Hall of Fame". syracuse.com. Retrieved 2017-06-20.
  6. ↑ Legare, Andrew. "Elmira Star Gazette".
  7. ↑ Firchau, Bruce. "Illinois Basketball Coaches Association".
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