Edward "Ed" Gottlieb Enshrined 1972 Kiev, Russia September 15, 1898 - December 7, 1979 Biography Armed with a great smile and a razor-sharp memory, "The Mogul" of basketball, Ed Gottlieb, was an innovator, successful coach, and masterful promoter. In 1918, Gottlieb organized and coached the South Philadelphia Hebrew Association. From the late 1920s to early 1940s, the SPHAS dominated the Eastern and American Basketball Leagues, winning multiple championships. In 1946, Gottlieb helped establish a new professional league, the Basketball Association of America (BAA). As owner, general manager, coach, and chief ticket seller of the Philadelphia Warriors, the team won the BAA's first championship in 1946-47. In 1949, Gottlieb helped merge the BAA with the National Basketball League to form the NBA. Gottlieb still owned the Philadelphia Warriors in 1956, the year the team captured the NBA title. Career Highlights BAA Championship with Philadelphia Warriors, 1947 NBA Championship with Philadelphia Warriors, 1956 Chairman, NBA Rules Committee for 25 years Served as NBA schedule maker for 30 years