David Stern
Biography of David Stern
Full Name and Common Aliases
David Joel Stern, commonly known as David Stern, was a towering figure in the world of professional basketball, renowned for his transformative leadership as the Commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Birth and Death Dates
David Stern was born on September 22, 1942, in New York City, and he passed away on January 1, 2020, leaving behind a legacy that forever changed the landscape of professional sports.
Nationality and Profession(s)
David Stern was an American by nationality. His professional life was predominantly defined by his role as a lawyer and, most notably, as the Commissioner of the NBA, a position he held with distinction for three decades.
Early Life and Background
David Stern grew up in a Jewish family in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. His father ran a delicatessen, and from an early age, Stern was instilled with a strong work ethic and a passion for sports. He attended Teaneck High School in New Jersey, where he excelled academically. Stern went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Rutgers University in 1963. He then pursued a law degree at Columbia Law School, graduating in 1966. His legal background would later prove instrumental in his career with the NBA, where he initially joined as outside counsel before becoming the league's General Counsel in 1978.
Major Accomplishments
David Stern's tenure as NBA Commissioner, from 1984 to 2014, is marked by a series of groundbreaking accomplishments that elevated the league to global prominence. Under his leadership, the NBA expanded from 23 to 30 teams, and the league's revenue increased exponentially. Stern was instrumental in negotiating lucrative television deals, which significantly boosted the NBA's visibility and financial health. He also played a pivotal role in the creation of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 1996, promoting gender equality in professional sports.
Notable Works or Actions
One of Stern's most notable actions was the implementation of a strict dress code for players in 2005, which was part of his broader effort to enhance the league's image and marketability. He also championed the globalization of the NBA, facilitating the league's expansion into international markets. This included hosting games overseas and promoting international players, which helped basketball become a truly global sport. Stern's tenure also saw the introduction of the NBA Draft Lottery, a system designed to discourage teams from deliberately losing games to secure higher draft picks.
Impact and Legacy
David Stern's impact on the NBA and professional sports is profound and enduring. He transformed the NBA from a struggling league into a global powerhouse, with a fan base that spans continents. His vision and leadership not only increased the league's profitability but also its cultural significance. Stern's efforts to globalize the sport have left a lasting legacy, with basketball now being one of the most popular sports worldwide. His commitment to social issues, such as diversity and inclusion, set a standard for other sports leagues to follow.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
David Stern is widely quoted and remembered for his visionary leadership and his ability to navigate the complex world of professional sports with acumen and foresight. His quotes often reflect his deep understanding of the business of sports and his commitment to innovation and excellence. Stern's influence extends beyond basketball; he is remembered as a pioneer who reshaped the sports industry, making it more inclusive and globally connected. His legacy is celebrated not only in the annals of the NBA but also in the broader context of sports history, where he is revered as one of the most influential commissioners in the history of professional sports.
Quotes by David Stern
David Stern's insights on:
We have a broad array of teams. And if somebody asked me whether a team is a good buy, my response is, 'You'd better hurry up, they're going like hot cakes, and they're going to be even more valuable when we get a system that is even more sustainable.'
With every day that goes by, there will be further reductions on what’s left of the season.
Our officials want nothing more than to be at the top of their professional game and make the correct call. That’s what they do; that’s their living, that’s their pride, that’s their joy. They don’t achieve that because they happen to be human.
I would say the referees have the toughest game to call. I would say that there’s a lot of officiating done by announcers, local announcers. Sometimes you should listen to a game from both feeds, and you’d think you were listening to completely different games.
I would say the league is viable as long as you have owners who want to continue funding losses. But it’s not on the long term a sustainable business model that we’re happy to be supporting. It needs to be reset.
Smart drafting is a wonderful thing. A smart free-agent signing is a wonderful thing. Smart trades are a wonderful thing, and that’s a function of management.