--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As commissioner, you have to have a great…" description: "\"As commissioner, you have to have a great relationship with your players but also to the upper executives: you gotta make sure their mandates are all o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/clyde-drexler-16589_great_as-commissioner-you-have-to-have-a-great_1587492.jpg" --- # As commissioner, you have to have a great relationship… ![“As commissioner, you have to have a great relationship with your players but also to the upper executives: you gotta make sure their mandates are all on target and in line.” quote by Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/clyde-drexler-16589_great_as-commissioner-you-have-to-have-a-great_1587492.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/clyde-drexler-16589_great_as-commissioner-you-have-to-have-a-great_1587492.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/clyde-drexler-16589_great_as-commissioner-you-have-to-have-a-great_1587492.jpg) > “As commissioner, you have to have a great relationship with your players but also to the upper executives: you gotta make sure their mandates are all on target and in line.” [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A sports leader must align player relationships with executive expectations to achieve unified goals. **In simple terms:** Leaders need harmony between team and management. Key Takeaway Align player and executive goals. Themes leadership communication team management Mood strategic determined Type leadership sports When to use this quote - team meetings - contract negotiations - performance reviews Key Concepts sports management executive strategy player relations Questions to Reflect On - How do you mediate player‑executive conflicts? - What tools ensure shared objectives? A Different Perspective Conflicting interests may cause tension. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Commissioner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commissioner/) [Commissioner Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commissioner-great-4678421/) [Executives Gotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/executives-gotta-6009870/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great/) [Great relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-relationship/) [Line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/line/) [Mandates Target](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mandates-target-6009872/) [Relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relationship/) [Target](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/target/) [Upper Executives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upper-executives-6009871/) [Your](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/your/) ## Related quotes > [I look back on my career and my time as commissioner with great fondness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-foley/i-look-back-on-my-career-and-my-time-as-commissioner-with-great/) [Mick Foley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-foley/) > [Jeff Kwatinetz and Ice Cube and Amy Trask - all those people are real visionaries, and the league that they started has been phenomenal.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/jeff-kwatinetz-and-ice-cube-and-amy-trask-all-those-people-are-real/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [I've been the longest-serving police commissioner in the history of the department, but it's time in my life to move on. I'm ready for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-kelly/i-ve-been-the-longest-serving-police-commissioner-in-the-history-of/) [Raymond Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-kelly/) > [I think that David Stern is probably the greatest commissioner that any sport has ever had in the history of this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-russell/i-think-that-david-stern-is-probably-the-greatest-commissioner-that/) [Bill Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-russell/) > [“Don’t apologize for believing the world is in better shape than it is,” the commissioner told him. “Just fight to make it true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-cox/don-t-apologize-for-believing-the-world-is-in-better-shape-than-it-is/) [Greg Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-cox/) > [At last, someone came to tell me I'd been selected as commissioner, which gave rise to the line that I took the job with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-rozelle/at-last-someone-came-to-tell-me-i-d-been-selected-as-commissioner/) [Pete Rozelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-rozelle/) > [I was pulled out of Omaha when I was younger because my father started to work, when he was done serving as county commissioner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-warren-buffett/i-was-pulled-out-of-omaha-when-i-was-younger-because-my-father/) [Howard Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-warren-buffett/) > [“... you know what was really messing me up when I got down there to Pittsburgh? Was how young he seemed. He kept asking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wally-lamb/you-know-what-was-really-messing-me-up-when-i-got-down-there-to/) [Wally Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wally-lamb/) > [I know of no one who would be a good High Commissioner of Palestine except God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-chancellor/i-know-of-no-one-who-would-be-a-good-high-commissioner-of-palestine/) [John Chancellor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-chancellor/) > [At FDA, our mission is to promote and protect the health of the public. As commissioner, I've worked hard to galvanize people around that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hamburg/at-fda-our-mission-is-to-promote-and-protect-the-health-of-the-public/) [Margaret Hamburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hamburg/) > [We completely support Commissioner Silver's decision today regarding Clippers owner Donald Sterling, and praise him for his prompt investigation and action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-reinsdorf/we-completely-support-commissioner-silver-s-decision-today-regarding/) [Jerry Reinsdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-reinsdorf/) > [This is a coup for commissioner Bud Selig. I'm surprised it's as good as it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-vincent/this-is-a-coup-for-commissioner-bud-selig-i-m-surprised-it-s-as-good/) [Fay Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-vincent/) > [I'd like to be the commissioner of tennis, but do I want to get into politics? Sometimes I have delusions of grandeur that that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcenroe/i-d-like-to-be-the-commissioner-of-tennis-but-do-i-want-to-get-into/) [John McEnroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcenroe/) > [“Even the commissioner of the Department of Labor, Andrew McBride, who had previously seemed reluctant to intervene, now beat the drum of change. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-moore/even-the-commissioner-of-the-department-of-labor-andrew-mcbride-who/) [Kate Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-moore/) > [Rather than saying that the commissioner is hired by the owners and therefore is subservient to them, you have to look at whether or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-rozelle/rather-than-saying-that-the-commissioner-is-hired-by-the-owners-and/) [Pete Rozelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-rozelle/) ## More by Clyde Drexler > [That's the part of basketball that we have to understand. You can never look at it as an individual sport. You rely on so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/that-s-the-part-of-basketball-that-we-have-to-understand-you-can/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [Houston fans want a high value for their entertainment dollar, and if you don't win, they will drop you and go on to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/houston-fans-want-a-high-value-for-their-entertainment-dollar-and-if/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [If I had a great game, and I was hot, usually we were up by 20-30 going into the fourth quarter. That means I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/if-i-had-a-great-game-and-i-was-hot-usually-we-were-up-by-20-30-going/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [I don't care what anybody says: a pro athlete is going to be a role model. I tried to use that as a positive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/i-don-t-care-what-anybody-says-a-pro-athlete-is-going-to-be-a-role/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [This should be a written rule: Guards should always defer to centers. I don't care how good you are, those big guys make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/this-should-be-a-written-rule-guards-should-always-defer-to-centers-i/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [Without the hand check rule, players are more likely to work their way open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/without-the-hand-check-rule-players-are-more-likely-to-work-their-way/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [I retired at 35 in '98 and thought, 'There's only one place to go, and that's downward.' I retired at a good level. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/i-retired-at-35-in-98-and-thought-there-s-only-one-place-to-go-and/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [Basketball is a global sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/basketball-is-a-global-sport/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [I am a Blazer at heart, and I want those fans to have something good to cheer for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/i-am-a-blazer-at-heart-and-i-want-those-fans-to-have-something-good/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [There's a lot to be learned by watching. I think the younger generation could fare a lot better in their game if they could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/there-s-a-lot-to-be-learned-by-watching-i-think-the-younger/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [Education is worth its weight in gold. Make no mistake about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/education-is-worth-its-weight-in-gold-make-no-mistake-about-it/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [Come on, everyone wants to win a championship, but a lot of players have had great careers without one. Sometimes it just doesn't happen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/come-on-everyone-wants-to-win-a-championship-but-a-lot-of-players/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [I had a lot of wonderful accomplishments in the game of basketball. Of course, to win a gold medal for your country - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/i-had-a-lot-of-wonderful-accomplishments-in-the-game-of-basketball-of/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [In my day, defenders played you with two hands and an elbow. You're not getting by a guy, especially if he has an elbow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/in-my-day-defenders-played-you-with-two-hands-and-an-elbow-you-re-not/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) > [Everybody's mom plays a huge role in their development and support. Mom was awesome. There is no one better. I had a good family.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/everybody-s-mom-plays-a-huge-role-in-their-development-and-support/) [Clyde Drexler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) [Explore all 39 Clyde Drexler quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/) ## More Commissioner quotes > [Rather than saying that the commissioner is hired by the owners and therefore is subservient to them, you have to look at whether or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-rozelle/rather-than-saying-that-the-commissioner-is-hired-by-the-owners-and/) [Pete Rozelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-rozelle/) > [“Even the commissioner of the Department of Labor, Andrew McBride, who had previously seemed reluctant to intervene, now beat the drum of change. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-moore/even-the-commissioner-of-the-department-of-labor-andrew-mcbride-who/) [Kate Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-moore/) > [I'd like to be the commissioner of tennis, but do I want to get into politics? Sometimes I have delusions of grandeur that that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcenroe/i-d-like-to-be-the-commissioner-of-tennis-but-do-i-want-to-get-into/) [John McEnroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcenroe/) > [This is a coup for commissioner Bud Selig. I'm surprised it's as good as it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-vincent/this-is-a-coup-for-commissioner-bud-selig-i-m-surprised-it-s-as-good/) [Fay Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-vincent/) > [We completely support Commissioner Silver's decision today regarding Clippers owner Donald Sterling, and praise him for his prompt investigation and action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-reinsdorf/we-completely-support-commissioner-silver-s-decision-today-regarding/) [Jerry Reinsdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-reinsdorf/) > [At FDA, our mission is to promote and protect the health of the public. As commissioner, I've worked hard to galvanize people around that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-hamburg/at-fda-our-mission-is-to-promote-and-protect-the-health-of-the-public/) [Margaret Hamburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-hamburg/) > [I know of no one who would be a good High Commissioner of Palestine except God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-chancellor/i-know-of-no-one-who-would-be-a-good-high-commissioner-of-palestine/) [John Chancellor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-chancellor/) > [“... you know what was really messing me up when I got down there to Pittsburgh? Was how young he seemed. He kept asking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wally-lamb/you-know-what-was-really-messing-me-up-when-i-got-down-there-to/) [Wally Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wally-lamb/) > [I was pulled out of Omaha when I was younger because my father started to work, when he was done serving as county commissioner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-warren-buffett/i-was-pulled-out-of-omaha-when-i-was-younger-because-my-father/) [Howard Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-warren-buffett/) > [At last, someone came to tell me I'd been selected as commissioner, which gave rise to the line that I took the job with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-rozelle/at-last-someone-came-to-tell-me-i-d-been-selected-as-commissioner/) [Pete Rozelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-rozelle/) > [“Don’t apologize for believing the world is in better shape than it is,” the commissioner told him. “Just fight to make it true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-cox/don-t-apologize-for-believing-the-world-is-in-better-shape-than-it-is/) [Greg Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-cox/) > [I think that David Stern is probably the greatest commissioner that any sport has ever had in the history of this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-russell/i-think-that-david-stern-is-probably-the-greatest-commissioner-that/) [Bill Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-russell/) > [I've been the longest-serving police commissioner in the history of the department, but it's time in my life to move on. I'm ready for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-kelly/i-ve-been-the-longest-serving-police-commissioner-in-the-history-of/) [Raymond Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-kelly/) > [“I have come upon the conviction that it is not the stern voice of a priest delivering the threat of brimstone, but the gentle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-kent/i-have-come-upon-the-conviction-that-it-is-not-the-stern-voice-of-a/) [Hannah Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-kent/) > [Anyone who thinks sports are ruled by athletes need only think of American sports' most enduring tradition: Immediately after a championship, as the champagne…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-rushin/anyone-who-thinks-sports-are-ruled-by-athletes-need-only-think-of/) [Steve Rushin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-rushin/) [Browse all 34 Commissioner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commissioner/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As commissioner, you have to have a great relationship with your players but also to the upper executives: you gotta make sure their mandates are all on target and in line.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Clyde Drexler" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/as-commissioner-you-have-to-have-a-great-relationship-with-your/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Commissioner" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/as-commissioner-you-have-to-have-a-great-relationship-with-your/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/clyde-drexler-16589_great_as-commissioner-you-have-to-have-a-great_1587492.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/clyde-drexler-16589_great_as-commissioner-you-have-to-have-a-great_1587492.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dcf/clyde-drexler-16589_great_as-commissioner-you-have-to-have-a-great_1587492.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“As commissioner, you have to have a great relationship with your players but also to the upper executives…” — Clyde Drexler", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Clyde Drexler", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clyde-drexler/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "As commissioner, you have to have...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/as-commissioner-you-have-to-have-a-great-relationship-with-your/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clyde-drexler/as-commissioner-you-have-to-have-a-great-relationship-with-your/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```