Five NBA figures ranked among SBJ’s 50 most influential

Five persons associated with the NBA are ranked among Sports Business Journal’s 50 most influential figures in sports for 2011.

NBA commissioner David Stern’s standing tumbled a little this season, dropping from third to sixth in the rankings that are led by Steve Burke, the president and CEO of NBCUniversal Holdings.

Here are the other NBA figures who were included in this year’s list and their change from last year.

  • NBA commissioner ,  No. 6, down from No. 3 last year.
  • Los Angeles Lakers owners , No. 20, unranked.
  • NBA deputy commissioner , No. 26, up from No. 27 last year.
  • Dallas Mavericks owner , No. 45, unranked.  

Among the NBA figures who after being ranked last year include NBPA executive director Billy Hunter (No. 30) and NBPA attorney Jeffrey Kessler.