Saturday, January 24, 2026
ADVT 
International

I'm best suited as basketball commissioner: US president Obama

Darpan News Desk IANS, 31 Jan, 2016 12:42 PM
    He has less than a year left as the US president, but Barack Obama knows one job that he'd really want to take up later -- that of a basketball commissioner.
     
    In an interview to GQ India magazine's February 2016 edition, Obama was asked: "Baseball, football, basketball, all the commissioner jobs open up next year. Which one would you want?"
     
    Given his love for basketball, Obama said: "Well, I'm best suited for basketball. But I cannot believe that the commissioner of football gets paid $44 million a year."
     
    Obama's term ends in January next year.
     
    Talking about the one perk of being president that he's going to miss the most, he said: "So the clear answer would be Air Force One: an amazing plane with an amazing crew, they clear out airspace so you don’t have to wait. And you land anytime, you leave anytime.
     
    "But it maybe Marine One, because even post-presidency, I may be able to round up a private plane sometime, but it’s tough not to have your helicopter waiting for you."
     
    On a serious note, Obama shared that he feels he has a "pretty good handle".
     
    "One thing I learned during the campaign was that I’ve got a good temperament. I don’t get too high and I don’t get too low. I’m able to stay focussed even when there’s a lot of stuff going on around me.
     
    "So there was never a point, even early on - even in the first six months, where we weren’t sure whether we were going to dip into another Great Depression, we weren’t sure whether the steps we were taking on rescuing the auto industry or stabilising the financial system were going to work - there weren’t moments where I thought, 'Sheesh, feels like we’re in over our head'," he said.
     
    The 54-year-old also shared that he "didn't fully appreciate and nobody can appreciate until they’re in the position, is how decentralised power is in this system.
     
    "...A lot of the work is not just identifying the right policy but now constantly building these ever shifting coalitions to be able to actually implement and execute and get it done," he added.
     
    In the interview, by writer Bill Simmons, Obama also spoke about his "guiltiest-pleasure TV show".
     
    While he named "Big Break", he even said: "I do love 'Game Of Thrones'"
     
    The magazine's February issue will hit stands on Monday.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    'Active Shooter' Reported At Naval Medical Center In San Diego

    'Active Shooter' Reported At Naval Medical Center In San Diego
    "An active shooter has just been reported in building #26 at Naval Medical Center San Diego. All occupants are advised to run, hide or fight," the Naval Medical Center San Diego posted.

    'Active Shooter' Reported At Naval Medical Center In San Diego

    Sikh Man Ousted From Donald Trump's Rally In US For Carrying 'Stop Hate' Banner

    Sikh Man Ousted From Donald Trump's Rally In US For Carrying 'Stop Hate' Banner
    The man, wearing a beard and bright red turban, tried to interrupt Trump's speech when he was addressing a rally on Sunday in Muscatine High School, Iowa, a mid-western state of the US

    Sikh Man Ousted From Donald Trump's Rally In US For Carrying 'Stop Hate' Banner

    U.S. Officials May Temporarily Turn Niagara Falls Into Trickle

    U.S. Officials May Temporarily Turn Niagara Falls Into Trickle
    State officials are holding a public hearing this week to discuss plans for replacing 115-year-old bridges linking the mainland to islands near the brink of Niagara Falls.

    U.S. Officials May Temporarily Turn Niagara Falls Into Trickle

    Street Artist Banksy Takes Swipe At France On Migrant Crisis

    Street Artist Banksy Takes Swipe At France On Migrant Crisis
    The elusive street artist placed the mural near the French Embassy in London. His publicist, Jo Brooks, confirmed Monday that the work was genuine.

    Street Artist Banksy Takes Swipe At France On Migrant Crisis

    Indian-Origin Muslim Cleric Muhammad Shahid Raza Gets Honorary Doctorate

    Indian-Origin Muslim Cleric Muhammad Shahid Raza Gets Honorary Doctorate
    Raza was born in Bihar and studied in Moradabad, Agra and Meerut before moving to Britain. He became head Imam at the Islamic Centre in Leicester in 1978.

    Indian-Origin Muslim Cleric Muhammad Shahid Raza Gets Honorary Doctorate

    German Town Bans Male Refugees From Public Pools After 'Sexually Offensive Behaviour'

    German Town Bans Male Refugees From Public Pools  After 'Sexually Offensive Behaviour'
    Gang of migrants arrested after 'sexually assaulting women and masturbating at historic German swimming baths'

    German Town Bans Male Refugees From Public Pools After 'Sexually Offensive Behaviour'