The Mogul ─ Eddie Gottlieb, Philadelphia Sports Legend and Pro Basketball Pioneer

Eddie Gottlieb was one of the most powerful sports figures in Philadelphia from the 1920s until his death in 1979. A Russian-Jewish immigrant who became a master promoter, Gottlieb - dubbed the "Mogul" for his business acumen - was influential in both basketball and baseball circles, as well as a colorful figure in his own right.
A member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, Gottlieb founded, played, coached, and owned the legendary South Philadelphia Hebrew Association (SPHAS) basketball team in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. Only 5'8", Gottlieb was nevertheless a skilled basketball player. But it was behind the scenes where he excelled. He helped form the National Basketball Association, and he coached and owned the Philadelphia Warriors franchise for many years. He signed Wilt Chamberlain to his first NBA contract. He also created the NBA's annual schedule of games for more than a quarter of a century.
Outside of basketball, Gottlieb's achievements included co-owning the Negro League Philadelphia Stats baseball team and trying unsuccessfully to buy the Philadelphia Phillies. He was Philadelphia's leading sports booking agent from the 1920s into the 1950s for everything from sandlot baseball to semipro football to professional wrestling. Drawing upon dozens of interviews and archival sources and featuring more than 50 photographs, The Mogul vividly portrays Eddie Gottlieb's pivotal role in both Philadelphia's and America's sports history.