David Stern to Retire in 2014

[EmpireWF]

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/sports&id=8860067

Silver has reportedly already been approved by the owners to take over.

NEW YORK -- NBA commissioner David Stern will announce late Thursday that he is retiring on Feb. 1, 2014, multiple sources tell ESPN.com's Marc Stein.

The elevation of Adam Silver, Stern's deputy, to commissioner was unanimously approved Thursday by the NBA Board of Governors, the sources said.

Stern, 70, has been the NBA's commissioner since Feb. 1, 1984. Last December, at the time a new collective bargaining agreement was announced, he predicted it would be the final labor deal before he steps down.

Stern's first work for the league came in 1966 as outside counsel. As commissioner, he has guided the league through the eras of Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, achieving dramatic new heights of popularity. For many NBA fans, he is the only commissioner they have known.

[ralaw]

I've always liked Stern he is one of the great commissioners ever.

[Senser81]

I've never liked Stern. I view him on the same level as Vince McMahon Jr. Total scumbag with a good sense of timing.

[Primetime]

Yeah some people wanna watch the world burn, I say thumbs up Derek Fisher and fuck you David Stern.

[ralaw]

I've never liked Stern. I view him on the same level as Vince McMahon Jr. Total scumbag with a good sense of timing.

“It’s always about timing. If it’s too soon, no one understands. If it’s too late, everyone’s forgotten.”

[Juggernaut]

Never liked him.

[Villain]

Here's hoping the next guy doesn't suck.

[killgod]

and this thread continues to prove that fans have no idea about commissioners in sport. they are the unified voice of the owners. just a puppet.

[Senser81]

and this thread continues to prove that fans have no idea about commissioners in sport. they are the unified voice of the owners. just a puppet.

Unless you are David Stern or Bud Selig, then you also own a team in the league.

[ralaw]

and this thread continues to prove that fans have no idea about commissioners in sport. they are the unified voice of the owners. just a puppet.

In labor talks I agree with you, but I don't understand what your comment has to do with the thread. While it is true that a commissioner represents the owners and at times is a puppet a commissioner does have power and influence on the league that he governs. Stern has had a great influence over the NBA which includes it's successes and failures.

[Warner2BruceTD]

I've never liked Stern. I view him on the same level as Vince McMahon Jr. Total scumbag with a good sense of timing.

Technically, Vince isn't a "Jr.", even though everybody calls him that. He's Vincent Kennedy McMahon.

Veteran wrestlers (especially guys who dealt with both the father & son over the years) always refer to Vince as "Junior", which infuriates him to no end. In fact, McMahon is so insecure about being called "Junior", that there is an official ban on using the word 'junior' to refer to anybody in the WWE, including second generation wrestlers like Ted Dibiase Jr and luchadors like Rey Misterio Jr, who are simply referred to as Ted Dibiase & Rey Misterio, even though there are elder wrestlers who use the same names.

There are three things you don't do around Vince. Smoke, sneeze, or call him "junior".

[EmpireWF]

Between now and his departure, Stern is determined to get a franchise back into Seattle, league sources said. He has become a strong ally of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer's group to bring back the NBA there. Ballmer's group has been trying to get the Maloof family to sell the Sacramento Kings, so that the franchise can eventually play in a new arena in Seattle.

From the league office, pressure on the Maloofs to sell has been growing, sources said – just as hopes for a new Sacramento arena have been fading. Seattle Sonics fans will never forgive Stern for his complicit role in Clay Bennett's deception to move that franchise to Oklahoma City, but make no mistake: Stern desperately wants to return the NBA to one of its great markets and wants it for his own measure of vindication before he leaves office.

As one source involved in the process said, "Stern has enough time to get a team back to Seattle, but he'll let Silver deal with the crowd [booing] on opening night."

Wojo's not-so-flattering article on Stern.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--david-stern-s-final-act--promote-the-myth-of-david-stern-25321709.html

[MrBill]

Stern hates San Antonio and the Spurs and the feeling is mutual.

[red33]

idk why he gets so much hate?

NBA went from being super popular to almost dying to again being popular.

Lots of people talk about basketball and the whole they are just thugs talk seem to be dying down.

Also NBA has grown globally under stern. Huge in asia and the rest of the world.

[JeremyHight]

Although I dislike the guy, I think he's been a solid commissioner. He's grown the league here and abroad, dealt with the loss of a "player of a generation" and generally avoided nearly every scandal that has hit the other major sports.