Stern, David Joel, 1942–2020, American basketball executive, b. New York City. A lawyer, he worked (1966–78) as outside counsel to the National Basketball Association (NBA) before he became NBA general counsel (1978), executive vice president (1980), and commissioner (1984–2014). As commissioner, Stern greatly increased the NBA's media exposure and marketing, expanded the league, and launched the Women's National Basketball Association and the NBA's development league. Stern grew the NBA's revenues and popularity, both in the United States and abroad, by focusing on such big-name players as Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan. Labor disputes led to lockouts in 1998 and 2011. After his retirement from the NBA, Stern headed DJS Global Advisors, continuing to advise the NBA as well as investment banks, venture capital firms, and sports technology startups. In 2014 he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Sports: Biographies
