Jimmy Goldstein is a NBA legend.
http://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/james-goldstein/
http://cornichewatches.com/the-fascinating-james-goldstein/
James F. Goldstein is a millionaire "NBA superfan" who attends over one hundred
NBA games each season typically in courtside seats, including approximately 95 percent of home games for the
Los Angeles Lakers and the
Los Angeles Clippers.
He also travels from city to city to catch games, especially during the NBA Playoffs (and not necessarily Lakers and Clippers playoff games). He also frequently attends post-game press conferences. His unique and flamboyant clothing makes him fairly easy to spot on television. His passion for the NBA has been featured in
USA Today, the
Detroit Free Press, the
Wall Street Journal, the
Boston Globe, Slam Magazine (Issue 138), and ESPN the Magazine.
"He has so much invested in our sport," Former NBA commissioner
David Stern said. "He probably has the largest investment of any fan in America, so we get a kick out of him. He has got quite a flair, and we love him as a sort of a superfan."
The son of a Milwaukee department store owner, Goldstein said he began watching NBA games as a 10-year-old.
[1] At the age of 15 he was hired to keep game statistics by the Milwaukee Hawks.
[1] "Once I did that and sat courtside for the games, I was totally hooked", he said. "My entire life has been devoted to professional basketball since then. I have such a passion for the game. I think there's more athleticism displayed in basketball than in any other sport."
[2] Goldstein graduated from
Nicolet High School in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he played on the basketball team. He then attended
Stanford University and has remained in
California ever since.
[3]
Having attended over 2,000 games, Goldstein befriended several current and former NBA players, including
Wilt Chamberlain,
Clyde Drexler,
Hakeem Olajuwon,
Shaquille O'Neal,
Sam Cassell, and
Dennis Rodman.
Unlike some other "super fans" however, Goldstein is content to simply observe the games and enjoy them, without yelling at referees or taunting players. He claims to have no favorite team, in spite of his Lakers and Clippers season tickets. He describes himself as a fan of the NBA in general.
[4]
Goldstein refuses to disclose how he made his fortune or his net worth, although the
Wall Street Journal speculated that Goldstein made
billions in real estate (notably
Century City in Los Angeles).
[5] When asked, he typically responds, "Let’s just say I had some investments that worked out pretty well." "I try not to think about the cost," he said. "It's worth it to me."
[2]
