David Stern

David Stern began his amazing journey to the NBA’s top spot in 1978, when, as a young and ambitious attorney at a New York law firm, he was named General Counsel to the still fledgling sports league. Fresh out of Columbia Law School, and soon to be named the League’s fourth commissioner, Stern wasted no time turning the NBA into the world’s premiere sports league. His 30-year run as commissioner saw the game experience tremendous growth across all sectors. That growth knew no borders as the NBA expanded its reach across the world as Stern fashioned the NBA into a global phenomenon. His influence is still tangible with Stern-led initiatives such as the WNBA, NBA Cares, the NBA Draft Lottery, and Basketball Without Borders. The NBA also added seven new franchises, signed lucrative television deals, and formulated a business model that was the envy of all during the Stern era. Stern was arguably the greatest and most influential commissioner in the history of American sports.