Senate Resolution No. 1109

BY: Senator GRIFFO

HONORING Seth Abraham upon the occasion of being
inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
on June 10-11, 2023

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
outstanding broadcast journalists who distinguished themselves through
their exceptional story-telling in sports, attaining unprecedented
success and the highest level of personal achievement; Seth Abraham is
one such individual and his life of achievements inspired others and
contributed to the respect and admiration of the sport of boxing; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Seth Abraham upon the occasion of being inducted into the International
Boxing Hall of Fame at Hall of Fame Weekend on June 10-11, 2023 in
Canastota, New York; and

WHEREAS, Born on August 20, 1947, Seth Abraham is an accomplished
Broadcast Journalist who has covered many notorious boxing matches in
his career; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from the University of Toledo and Boston
University, Seth Abraham worked for the New York Times and Major League
Baseball before joining upstart cable company Home Box Office (HBO) in
1978 as director of sports operations; over the next two plus decades he
rose through the ranks to become President and CEO of Time Warner Sports
and became one of the most powerful, influential, and innovative figures
in boxing; and

WHEREAS, Under his leadership, HBO became the powerhouse "Network of
Champions"; the legends Seth Abraham has negotiated to compete on HBO
include Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Julio
Cesar Chavez, Roy Jones Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Riddick Bowe, Mike Tyson,
and Pernell Whitaker; and

WHEREAS, Seth Abraham incorporated a story-telling element to
broadcasts that separated HBO from other networks and advanced him in
his field; Abraham left in 2000 for Madison Square Garden, where he
served as Executive Vice President and COO until 2004; and

WHEREAS, In 2014, Seth Abraham was awarded the BWAA's Sam Taub Award
for Excellence in Broadcast Journalism; and

WHEREAS, Seth Abraham clearly made a contribution to the spirit of
excellence which is a tradition of the International Boxing Hall of
Fame; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such outstanding accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great
Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Seth Abraham upon the occasion of being inducted into the
International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 10-11, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Seth Abraham.