Adam Silver’s path to Duke was steered by ad exec Roy Bostock ’62, president of the local school board and Duke trustee emeritus, who was a passionate alum and sang the school’s praises, encouraging him to apply. Silver, the current NBA commissioner and a Rye, New York, native, says moving to the South for college opened his eyes to seeing the differences and complexities of people and the world. “I had never spent any time in the South before I went to Duke. It quickly changed my perspective in very important ways. It helped round me out as a person. It gave me a much better understanding of our country.” While he never played college sports, he grew up playing baseball and loving it as a kid. But basketball, a sport where he also enjoyed quality time watching the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden with his dad, went on to capture his heart. After earning a political science degree at Duke in 1984, he worked in Washington, D.C., for a member of Congress. Silver later attended the University of Chicago Law School before returning to the Big Apple. There he’s happily leading a professional sports league that is ever evolving, much like Duke, where Silver now serves as our newest chair of the board of trustees.
PS: He’s an avid runner who can’t get enough peanut butter.
What makes you laugh the most? My two daughters (4 and 7). They love to sing and dance – a talent I do not have. They love to play characters, and they love to perform.
What is the possession you most treasure and why? I have an old watch that was my father’s. It’s not particularly valuable but it’s meaningful to me because it’s a watch he used to wear every day. (Silver wears an Apple Watch. Shoutout to fellow trustees Tim Cook M.B.A.’88 and Eddy Cue ’86.)
Who is your favorite hero of sports? My brother Erik is a huge Yankees fan. He loved Mickey Mantle. When he was young, my brother broke his leg and was in the hospital at the same time as Mantle. My brother wrote him a letter, and Mickey Mantle wrote him back. That cemented our love of him.
What’s your favorite music? I have very eclectic tastes, although my wife would say I’m locked into an R&B era, from the ’70s and ’80s. I also listen to current music, too.
What’s your fave go-to snack and when do you attack it? Peanut butter. It’s either peanut butter and jelly, a classic, or peanut butter on crackers. Sometimes almond butter, too.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? I am most proud of having worked at the NBA for 32 years alongside so many talented and dedicated players, coaches and executives. The opportunity to be part of a global organization and help grow the game of basketball around the world has been a truly thrilling and rewarding experience.
If you could be something other than a basketball commissioner (and all of the many things you do) what would it be? A scientist or technologist.
What is the trait you like most in others? Curiosity.
What do you most value in your friends? Loyalty.
What is your favorite spot on the Duke campus? It should come as no surprise that it’s Cameron Indoor Stadium. It is one of the most unique and intimate venues in all of sports.
What is the best advice you ever received about life – and who gave it? My predecessor, David Stern, taught me that every single detail matters, even when no one is looking. Paying attention will serve you well in business and in life.
What is one thing you’d like to tell Duke alums about your role at Duke and how you do your job as a leader of the trustees? As trustees, we care deeply about the past, present and future of Duke. And Duke alumni play a critically important role in shaping the culture and mission of the university. In my new role, I see many similarities to my job as NBA commissioner in terms of working with a variety of stakeholders, building strong relationships and helping to drive consensus. Ultimately our job is to support President Price and the Duke community any way we can.