Former NBA Commissioner David Stern dies at 77

NBA.com Staff

Former NBA Commissioner David Stern dies at 77 image

Former NBA Commissioner David Stern has passed away aged 77, due to a brain hemorrhage he suffered approximately three weeks ago.


NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement:

“For 22 years, I had a courtside seat to watch David in action.  He was a mentor and one of my dearest friends.  We spent countless hours in the office, at arenas and on planes wherever the game would take us.  Like every NBA legend, David had extraordinary talents, but with him it was always about the fundamentals – preparation, attention to detail, and hard work.

“David took over the NBA in 1984 with the league at a crossroads.  But over the course of 30 years as Commissioner, he ushered in the modern global NBA.  He launched groundbreaking media and marketing partnerships, digital assets and social responsibility programs that have brought the game to billions of people around the world.  Because of David, the NBA is a truly global brand – making him not only one of the greatest sports commissioners of all time but also one of the most influential business leaders of his generation.

“Every member of the NBA family is the beneficiary of David’s vision, generosity and inspiration.  Our deepest condolences go out to David’s wife, Dianne, their sons, Andrew and Eric, and their extended family, and we share our grief with everyone whose life was touched by him.”

Stern served as Commissioner for 30 years, overseeing the league during it's most successful period, which saw it go from a league struggling to make a profit, to increasing revenue by 30 times to a reported $5 billion. 

Stern was a driving force in leading the NBA into a global market through marketing and television broadcasts in more than 200 countries and regions in 49 languages. 

During his tenure, Stern implemented significant changes and helped grow the league with the addition of seven new teams, six relocations, as well as the creation of the WNBA, which had its inaugural season in 1997.

For his contribution to the game Stern was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014. 

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dianne, and their two sons, Eric and Andrew.

#Stern

A host of NBA players, past and present took to Twitter to offer their condolcences:

NBA.com Staff

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