David Stern, the NBA commissioner from 1984 to 2014, passed away on Wednesday after suffering a brain hemorrhage nearly three weeks prior.
The current NBA commissioner and deputy under Stern from 2006 to 2014, Adam Silver, issued a statement on Stern’s death.
“For 22 years, I had a courtside seat to watch David in action,” Silver said. “He was a mentor and one of my dearest friends. We spent countless hours in the office, at arenas, and on planes wherever the games 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,” Silver continued. “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,” Silver concluded. “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.”
Current WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert also released a statement regarding Stern’s death.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern,” she said. “The WNBA will be forever grateful for his exemplary leadership and vision that led to the founding of our league. His steadfast commitment to women’s sports was ahead of its time and has provided countless opportunities for women and young girls who aspire to play basketball. He will be missed.”
The most dynamic player to take the court during Stern’s tenure as commissioner, Michael Jordan, admits the NBA would not be the same without him.
“Without David Stern, the NBA would not be what it is today,” Jordan admits. “He guided the leagues through turbulent times and grew the league into an international phenomenon, creating opportunities that few could have imagined before. His vision and leadership provided me with the global stage that allowed me to succeed. David had a deep love for the game of basketball and demanded excellence from those around him, and I admired him for that. I wouldn’t be where I am without him. I offer my deepest sympathies to Dianne and his family.”
Stern will forever be remembered as one of the sports world’s greatest commissioners. He was honored with an induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014.