Bill Goldstein
Bill Goldstein | |
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| Born | William A. Goldstein July 6, 1946 Boston, Massachusetts |
| Citizenship | United States |
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| Occupation | Author and humorist; podcaster; former sports marketing executive and attorney |
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| Spouse(s) | Deborah (Blatter) Goldstein |
| Children | Elizabeth Goldstein (Daughter) |
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| Awards |
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| Website | billgoldstein |
William “Bill” Goldstein, Lawyer turned sports marketing executive turned writer/humorist.
In the sports world, known for co-founding one of the industry’s first sports marketing agencies, Sports Etcetera, as well as promoting the culminating event on the women’s professional tennis tour at Madison Square Garden for a generation.
In the entertainment world, known for his podcast “Not That You Asked,” his videos, speeches, and his two books featuring his stories, observations and pet peeves (see below).
Early life and education
Goldstein was born on July 6, 1946, in Boston, Massachusetts, to Harold Matthew Goldstein (1908–1998) and Effie (Klayman) Goldstein (1914–2000). The youngest of four boys, he attended Newton High School before earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester. He later graduated summa cum laude from Boston College Law School with a Juris Doctor degree in 1972, and was awarded a Reginald Heber Smith Fellowship.
Career
Legal career
After graduating from law school, Goldstein became a member of the California Bar working for the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) and Contra Costa County Legal Services, representing indigent clients in class action litigation.
Sports marketing career
In 1974, Goldstein relocated to Manhattan and joined Madison Square Garden, where he promoted the Garden’s college basketball program, including the Garden’s first women's college basketball game.
In 1976, he became the Executive Assistant to NBA Commissioner Larry O'Brien. During his tenure he developed the first model for the ground breaking salary cap; worked on the merger of the NBA-ABA; and helped resolve the Oscar Robertson lawsuit which created modern free agency for professional athletes.
Beginning in 1978, he became involved with professional tennis. For the next 20 years--working with his longtime partner, Ella Alber-- he promoted the season-ending Virginia Slims Tennis Championships, featuring the top 16 players in the world. The event boasts all 10 of the top 10 crowds in the history of the women’s game, and was televised to more than 150 countries worldwide.
In 1979, Goldstein and Alber co-founded Sports Etcetera, one of the industry’s first marketing agency which they owned and operated for more than 35 years, promoting over 1000 events, while also representing the event portfolios of their corporate clients which included Merrill Lynch, MetLife, and Unilever.
Writing and media
Now free from boardman sensibilites, and flunking retirement, Goldstein has stopped hiring the talent and has become the talent, hosting the podcast “Not That You Asked”; creating videos; speaking on college campuses; and authoring two books: Skip the Funeral and Other Musings and most recently Not That You Asked: Stories, Observations and Pet Peeves.
Books
- Goldstein, Bill (June 24, 2026). Not That You Asked: Stories. Observations. Pet Peeves. American Real Publishing. p. 214. ISBN 978-1969063794. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- Goldstein, Bill (March 29, 2021). Skip the Funeral. BookBaby. p. 88. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
- Goldstein, Bill (October 17, 2022). Skip the Funeral: And Other Musings: 2nd Edition. Fulton Books, Inc. p. 110. Retrieved 31 July 2026.
Personal life
Goldstein married Deborah (Blatter) Goldstein in 1975. They have one daughter, Elizabeth.
In the media