California multimillionaire's hooked on hoops

Colorful super fan travels the country devouring NBA games

By Amy Dorsett
Express-News Staff Writer

With his flair for dressing in colorful designer duds and his wiry gray hair, wide-brimmed hats and courtside seat, it's hard to miss multimillionaire Jim Goldstein, who spends hundreds of thousands of dollars each year chasing NBA teams across the country.
League Commissioner David Stern isn't quite sure when he first met him. And he can't say when the enigmatic Goldstein, from California, began being labeled as the league's super fan — an unofficial title he alone holds.
"Haven't I always known him?" Stern asked rhetorically. "He sort of just leapt into the NBA's consciousness because he's at all of our games."
There is one thing Stern can say, with confidence, about Goldstein — he knows him when he sees him.
So will all of San Antonio when he takes his seat tonight at the SBC Center for Game 2 of the NBA Finals. It will be Goldstein's 32nd playoff game — of this season.
The sold-out game, which pits the Spurs against Detroit, is set to tip off at 8 p.m. and will be televised by ABC. The Spurs lead the best-of-seven series 1-0.
Before Thursday night's game, Goldstein, who manages to have access unlike any other fan, strode around the court, greeting players, members of the media and Stern — who said hello with a warm hug.
Though he lives in Los Angeles, home to two NBA teams, Goldstein pledges allegiance to no franchise.
"I consider myself an NBA fan," Goldstein said. "I follow every team in the league."
He used to divide his time between several sports. Though tennis still captures some of his attention, he now concentrates on basketball.
"I find it to be so much more exciting," he said. "The degree of athleticism required for basketball far exceeds football and baseball."
He also appreciates the smaller, more intimate venues of basketball.
Goldstein isn't shy — he promotes himself through his Web site, jamesfgoldstein.com — but he won't answer all of a prying reporter's questions, such as his age, or the source of his money.
He will divulge that the first time he attended a Finals game was in 1957, when the Hawks played the Celtics.
Goldstein's family did have some money, but he is largely a self-made man, making wise real estate investments. Architecture is another of his passions, and he helped design much of his modern home in the Hollywood Hills, which has been featured in magazines.
He also is mum about how much he spent to get his Finals courtside seats next to the broadcaster's table at the SBC Center.
"It's too embarrassing," he said
He was able to buy the tickets through the Spurs and said he also made a charitable donation for the privilege.
But unlike other fans who paid through the nose for a good seat, Goldstein had a special accessory hanging around his neck — a league-issued pass, allowing him access to nearly all the arena.
"He's gotten to know the NBA family very well," Stern said when asked how Goldstein achieved such access. "There are very intense fans in every city, but there's nobody that has made the geographic, emotional and economic commitment that he has."
Goldstein, who never married or had children, knows the league so well he considers them family.He would have to be regarded as a very colorful relative. On Thursday, he wore a red and khaki Roberto Cavalli outfit. Not exactly understated, the tight-fitting duds were accessorized by python boots, scarf and, of course, a wide-brimmed hat, which he's never without.
He replaces his entire wardrobe twice a year. His used clothes aren't sold or donated to charity.
"I keep them all. I've run out of space, but I'm building some new closet space," he said. "It's a collection — it's like collecting art."
For all his flashy extravagances, there is one area of conservative budgeting in Goldstein's life. He travels on commercial flights, in coach.
He won't say which team he's pulling for in the Finals, but does admit he's a fan of the Western Conference and that the Spurs have an edge because of home court advantage.
Either way, whether it's Detroit or the Spurs that ends up with the gold trophy, Goldstein will have a ball.