Add a Memory
Make a Donation
Simon Gourdine Obituary
The NBA confirmed Gourdine died on Thursday, though the cause of death was not released. He was living in the Bronx.
"Simon Gourdine made an extraordinary impact on the National Basketball Association over his nearly 20 years of service with our league," Commissioner David Stern said in a statement. "As both the NBA's Deputy Commissioner and Executive Director of the Players Association, Simon brought the same zeal, integrity and excellence that he exhibited from his days as an Assistant U.S. Attorney.
"The NBA family has lost an innovator and a great friend."
Gourdine, a graduate of City College of New York and Fordham University Law School, became the NBA's attorney in 1970 and was hired as deputy commissioner by Commissioner Walter Kennedy. At the time, he was the highest-ranking black executive in professional sports.
He helped negotiate a labor deal that created free agency in the NBA in 1976 and helped the league absorb the Spurs, Pacers, Nets and Nuggets from the ABA.
He left the NBA in 1981, but returned to pro basketball in 1990 as general counsel for the National Basketball Players Association. In 1995, he became executive director after Charles Grantham resigned during contentious negotiations on a collective bargaining agreement.
Gourdine ended up negotiating a deal that ended an NBA lockout and created a rookie pay scale. He was offered a contract to remain executive director, but the players refused to agree to it and he was pushed out in 1996. An arbitration panel awarded him nearly $1 million.
He is survived by his wife, Pat, and three children, David, Peter and Laura.
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
31 Entries
David Kellogg
June 24, 2020
i served with Simon in Viêt Nam. Many stories, but will never forget his handing me, before going to Viêt Nam, an Anglo New Englander 2LT, (he a 1LT) coby of Malcolm X autobiography saying were going to be real close so this will help you know me. Im going to set up a blog (age 76) and this will be me first filing.
I loved him and his family and want to reach out to Pamela and his children.
Gloria Shepherd
June 12, 2018
Dear Pat and family, I just found out that Simon died in 2012. I am sorry for your loss. May wonderful memories comfort you.
Lew Gruber
January 27, 2014
We pledged Webb Patrol together. He became Renaissance Man with all his accomplishments against a tremendously broad brush of the Economic, legal, military, and Political Landscape. For 50 years whenever I had a problem be it personnel or executive it was ingrained in my DNA that I would ask myself " What would Si say/think"? So important was he to my maturing years. After not speaking to him in close to 50 years I called to relate how important he was to be and find out how he was doing. He was as warm and interested in our conversation as if we spoke on a regular basis. One year later I called him back and told him he had to write an autobiography for several people who should have known him had no idea of his successful life. He thanked me for my input and modestly said he would think about. He passed the following fortnight. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends I am sure you have added to his life like he added to mine. As an after thought you might want to write a biography of a great man in interesting times.
How you can show support
nora curioso
October 24, 2012
Peter, so terribly sorry for your loss. Years ago, I was a close friends with your wife, rebecca fine. It was when trying to find rebecca on line that I stumbled across this sad news.
Prayerfully,
Nora Curioso
C.ELLEN & C. ELAINE GOLDING
September 13, 2012
To the Family of Simon Gourdine,
We, Ellen & Elaine Golding. Twin CCNY classmates of Dep. Commish of the NBA, cochairs of the Program Committee on the Alumni Board of Directors,mourn his passing. On Tuesday Sept. 11th, we submitted Simon's name to the CCNY In Memorium Archives. You in the Gourdine Family are all in our prayers on this the 50th Anniversary of our 1962 Class Reunion. It was a pleasure to communicate with Simon in May and June. We remain shocked and saddened by the untimely Passing of one of our most illustrious schoolmates.
Sincerely, C.Ellen Golding CCNY 1962 & 1965 &
C.Elaine Golding, CCNY 1962 & 1965
August 28, 2012
John 5:28
Ruth Altman
August 25, 2012
I was deeply saddened to learn of Simon's passing. And my deepest sympathy goes out to his family. I had the pleasure of working for Simon as Director of the Complaint Division at the Dept of Consumer Affairs. He was an outstanding leader and knew how develop and improve the workings of the agency. It was an honor to be a part of his staff
August 24, 2012
Dear Sister,
I am sorry that I can not be with you during this time of loss. May God bless you and the family during this sad time in your life. Know that we love you and will always be here for you.
Love,
The Lenhardt Family
Margaret
August 23, 2012
To the friends and family of Mr. Simon Gourdine, I am sorry for your great loss, Mr. Gourdine has accomplish many things for the NBA players. May you know that Jehovah is giving support to all who are falling, And is raising up all who are bowed down.
Hoon Sull
August 22, 2012
To the Gourdine family,
My sincerest condolences. Sad to hear of his passing. I am glad I had a chance to meet him many years ago as a friend of his eldest son, David. God bless.
linda nunn
August 22, 2012
my feelings go out to family, and friends.simon accomplished alot in his life, i am certain he will do the same in heaven.
Michael Burns
August 22, 2012
Simon was my colleague at the NBA in the early nineteen seventies. A true gentleman of extraordinary integrity and moral strength.
August 22, 2012
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Polly and Butch Zetterman
August 21, 2012
Pat, David, Peter & Laura,
We were so sorry to hear about Simon. You are in our thoughts and prayers. I'll call you soon.
Love, Polly and Butch
Katherine Pinkard
August 21, 2012
Rest in peace Mr.Gourdine. May you rejoice in heaven with the angels. My deepest condolences to the Gourdine family. God bless.
Napoleon Mitchell
August 21, 2012
Simon was truly a hero and he will be missed by many of us who remember him from his days at CCNY.Condolence to his family.
Napoleon Mitchell
Gregory Green
August 21, 2012
May God bless you all.
Gregory
August 21, 2012
May God bless you all.
Bill Ligon
August 21, 2012
He was truly an unsung hero to the many players that have taken their involvement in the NBA as a given...An inspiration...
The Brown's
August 21, 2012
Pat and Family, We were deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Simon will be missed by so many people. You and your children can be very proud of Simons accomplishments. Cherish his memories, for they are very precious. AAlong with your family, those in the ABA ans the NBA will miss him also. Take care of yourselves. Throw your burben upon Jehovah himself, And he himself will sustain you. PS. 55:22 Deepest Sympathy.
D
August 21, 2012
Pat, so sorry to hear of Simon's passing. May you and your children find comfort in prayer at this sorrowful time. Psalms 61:1
August 21, 2012
God bless the family of Simon Gourdine and give them peace, comfort and strength to get through the coming days ahead.
Praying for you in Alabama
August 20, 2012
To the family of Simon Gourdine,may the God of peace,give you peace in your time of grief[Philippians4:7]
Howard and Jeanette Edlow
August 20, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in your loss of your husband, father, and brother. May God's riches blessings forever keep you and comfort you.
Si as Consumer Affairs Commissioner at bill signing
Warren Traiger
August 20, 2012
My heartfelt condolences to the family. I had the pleasure of working for and learning from Si at the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs in the early 80s. As Commisioner, he capably balanced the concerns of consumers and the business community and taught me, a young lawyer, how to critically think about issues and the importance of considering the ramifications of different approaches before adopting one. He was very smart in a practical as well as learned sense, and I think often about how fortunate I was to have him as a mentor.
August 20, 2012
Simon was a dedicated contributing citizen, a proud father and a wonderful person.
Oliver and Lorraine Koppell
MaryMargaret Walker
August 20, 2012
I was still in my teens when my dear friend Pat Campbell introduced me to her tall and handsome
new boyfriend, Simon Gourdine. From the first day I met him I knew that here was one of the kindest and most honorable men I'd ever met.Somehow I just knew it and that feeling never changed through all these
many years. I was privileged to be a part of their wedding ceremony and to be a part of their lives and there are no words that can express the saddness and terrible sense of loss that I feel.
All I can say is, a beautiful man had a
beautiful life; the best wife possible and three great children and then his greatest joy, his first grandchild.
I believe he died a happy man. He will
be missed for as long as we all live.
Howard W Dragutsky
August 19, 2012
My condolences to the Gourdine Family.
RIP my law school classmate. It is almost unimaginable that in a few weeks, it will be 50 years since we began our studies at Fordham law school, in what was then the law school's brand new building at Lincoln Center.
Billy Goldstein
August 19, 2012
A great friend colleague of mine, and so many others, Simon distinquished himself every day with his honest, positive approach to life and work. His historic contributions to the world of sports and race relations were ground breaking on many levels. He set the standard by which all others will be measured for decades to come. I will remember him always.
Showing 1 - 31 of 31 results
Make a Donation
in Simon Gourdine's name
How to support Simon's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Simon Gourdine's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read moreMore ways to support the family
Visit the Sympathy Shop
Sponsored