Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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1979. Larry Bird signs a 5-year, $3.25 million deal — the richest rookie contract in American sports history. Then he steps to the mic and says he’d have played for nothing.
The NBA changed the rule right after.

It’s still called the Larry Bird collegiate rule.
🎥 Watch the full press conference: youtu.be/0Xh7VZQfsys
#LarryBird #Celtics #Lakers #NBAHistory #shorts

Another entry from the CLNS archive vault — Larry Bird Rookie Press Conference, June 8, 1979
🍀 Related: Dave Cowens Had No Idea Who LARRY BIRD Was 😳 The 1979 Tapes
youtu.be/F0gk_COfa1Y


🍀 Related: Cedric Maxwell Settles the Dave Cowens Debate
youtu.be/rYxhbIBT4Qc

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