Who Is David Stern? Age, Biography, and Wiki
David Stern was born on September 22, 1942, and sadly passed away on January 1, 2020, at the age of 77. Serving as the NBA Commissioner from 1984 to 2014, Stern was a pivotal figure in the evolution of professional basketball. His tenure is marked by significant growth in the league, the introduction of global outreach programs, and the expansion of the NBA's brand worldwide. With a fierce commitment to excellence and equality in sports, Stern's leadership transformed the NBA into a global powerhouse.
| Occupation | Sports Executive |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 22, 1942 |
| Age | 77 Years |
| Birth Place | New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 1 January, 2020 |
| Died Place | New York City, U.S. |
Popularity
David Stern's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific height and weight details about David Stern are not readily available, it can be noted that he had a notable presence within the sports community. His impactful leadership and personality often overshadowed any physical attributes. Stern's focus was always on the game and its cultural significance rather than personal accolades.
Before the 2005–06 season, the NBA announced a new dress code, which banned players from wearing headphones, chains, shorts, sleeveless shirts, indoor sunglasses, T-shirts, jerseys and headgear such as baseball caps during NBA-related public appearances.
Allen Iverson criticized the policy: "They're targeting guys who dress like me, guys who dress hip-hop ... I think they went way overboard." A decade later, Stern's edict was credited with spawning a style trend among NBA stars toward high fashion.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
David Stern was married to Dianne B. Stern, with whom he had two children. The couple was known for their close-knit family and shared values. Details regarding any aspiring relationships or dating life outside of his marriage have not been documented, as Stern maintained a private personal life largely separated from the public eye. His legacy continues through his family, who honor his contributions to sports and society.
He grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, and his father ran a Jewish delicatessen in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan. Stern grew up a New York Knicks fan, considered Carl Braun his hero, and attended games at Madison Square Garden with his father. He played basketball briefly in adulthood before sustaining a serious right knee injury during a New York Lawyers League game.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, David Stern's net worth is estimated to be around $135 million. Through his career as the commissioner of the NBA, he earned substantial compensation packages, along with various investments that contributed to his wealth. His business acumen allowed the league to expand significantly, leading to increased revenue and profitability during and after his tenure.
In 1978, Stern left Proskauer Rose to become the NBA's general counsel under Commissioner Larry O'Brien. By 1980, O'Brien promoted Stern to be the NBA's executive vice president for business and legal affairs, which made Stern de facto in charge of marketing, television, and public relations for the league.
During this time, Stern largely drove two landmark agreements with the NBA Players' Association: drug testing and team salary cap. An August 1980 report by the Los Angeles Times had estimated that 40 to 75 percent of NBA players used cocaine.
The drug testing policy dealt with the perception that the NBA had a drug problem, which it admitted, and it was cleaning it up. The NBA was the first of the major sports leagues in North America to implement a drug testing policy.
The salary cap created a revenue-sharing system where owner and player were effectively partners, with players receiving 53 percent of all revenues. Both of these agreements solidified Stern's standing inside NBA circles.
Career, Business, and Investments
David Stern's career trajectory began after receiving his law degree from Columbia University, leading him to the NBA in 1966 as a law clerk. He climbed the ranks and became the NBA’s first salaried lawyer in 1978. His appointment as commissioner in 1984 marked the beginning of a transformative era for the league. Stern spearheaded initiatives that enhanced player marketing and expanded the league internationally. Under his leadership, the NBA saw significant television contracts, endorsements, and merchandise sales that fueled the league's growth.
In addition to his work with the NBA, Stern was involved in various business ventures and philanthropic endeavors. He engaged in multiple investments that further solidified his status as a savvy businessman.
David Joel Stern (September 22, 1942 – January 1, 2020) was an American lawyer and business executive who was the commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1984 to 2014. Stern oversaw NBA basketball's growth into one of the world's most popular sports during the 1990s and 2000s.
He is credited with developing and broadening the NBA's audience, especially internationally by setting up training camps, playing exhibition games, and recruiting more international players. In addition, with Stern's guidance the NBA opened 12 offices in cities outside the United States, and broadcast to over 200 territories in over 40 languages.
Stern also helped found the Women's National Basketball Association and the NBA G League, the NBA's development league. Under Stern, the NBA launched their digital presence with NBA.com, NBA TV, and NBA League Pass. He also established the NBA's social responsibility program, NBA Cares.
Social Network
Stern was active on various social media platforms where he shared insights about the NBA while also connecting with fans. His impact on social media has inspired a generation of athletes and fans to engage with the sport beyond the court. Although he may not have had personal accounts, his legacy is widely discussed in online basketball communities and forums.
For the 2006–07 season the NBA introduced a new "microfiber" basketball for use in NBA games, replacing the previous style ball used since 1970. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban agreed with the need for a new ball, claiming the old style ball was inconsistent.
Many of the league's most prominent players openly expressed their dislike for the new ball, such as Shaquille O'Neal who said, "Feels like one of those cheap balls that you buy at the toy store." A study, financed by Cuban, claimed that the new ball "bounces 5 to 8% lower than typical leather balls when dropped from 4 feet...[and] the new ball bou
nces 30% more erratically."
Education
David Stern completed his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University before attending Columbia Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor. His educational background provided a solid foundation for his analytical thinking and strategic planning, crucial skills that propelled his exceptional career in sports management.
Stern started with the NBA in 1966 as an outside counsel, then joined the NBA in 1978 as general counsel and became the league's executive vice president in 1980. He became commissioner in 1984, succeeding Larry O'Brien.
After 30 years, Stern retired in 2014 as the longest-tenured commissioner in the history of major North American sports leagues (though his record has since been broken). He was succeeded by Adam Silver. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and FIBA Hall of Fame.
Stern was on the Rutgers University Board of Overseers, a Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center and chair of JALC's Marketing Committee, and was a Chair Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of Columbia University. He was also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
