By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
Former NBA Commissioner David Stern passed away on the afternoon of January 1st, the league’s office announced. Stern had been hospitalized after suffering a brain hemorrhage three weeks ago.
Stern served as Commissioner of the NBA for 30 years. He assumed the position on February 1st, 1984 and remained Commissioner until January 30, 2014, when he was succeeded by Adam Silver.
In 2014, Stern became a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and in 2016, he was also named to the FIBA Hall of Fame.
Per NBA: “NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern passed away this afternoon as a result of the brain hemorrhage he suffered approximately three weeks ago. His wife Dianne and their family were with him at his bedside.”
Silver made the following statement on Stern’s passing:
“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 places, 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 9184 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 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.”