"Commissioner Emeritus David Stern passed away this afternoon from the brain hemorrhage he suffered three weeks ago" at a New York restaurant, the NBA said in a statement. It was the body, which he headed from 1984 to 2014, which announced the dreaded news on Wednesday, January 1.
"A great man, husband, father, friend, businessman and visionary": in these emotional words, basketball legend Magic Johnson summed up the unanimous tribute of the NBA world to his former emblematic boss David Stern, died Wednesday at age 77.
A "mentor"
"For 22 years, I was in the front row to see David in action. He was a mentor and one of my dearest friends," said his successor at the head of the North American League, Adam Silver.
During his 30 years of reign, assured of an iron fist in a velvet glove, this son of New York grocer and graduate of law made the NBA prosper and transformed it into a world brand.
At the time, this body was in the grip of serious financial problems and was far from having the media exposure of the NFL (American football) or the MLB (baseball).
"David has made the NBA one of the most popular leagues in the world with his revolutionary ideas. He has made NBA finals matches watched live on television rather than delayed," tweeted Lakers legend Magic Johnson, whose rivalry with the Larry Bird Celtics was thus greatly exposed.
"An icon"
"He made so much history. When I announced in 1991 that I had contracted HIV, people thought they would have AIDS by shaking my hand. When David allowed me to play All- Star Game in 1992 and then participating in the Barcelona Olympics with the Dream Team, we were able to change the world, "he added.
A world that Stern wanted without borders for the NBA, doing everything to popularize it with its best ambassadors, the players, who were going to become planetary stars.
"Without David, the NBA would not be what it is today," said the most famous of them, Michael Jordan.
"David loved basketball and demanded excellence from those around him, and I admired him for that.
Without him, I would not have arrived where I am, "added" his Airness "whose exploits and sneakers have done more for the NBA than any other star of the orange ball.
"It is a huge loss for the sport in general because he is the one who + marketted the Jordan, Magic, Bird, Isiah Thomas, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant ... He knew bring these superstars closer to the fans, "said Reggie Miller, the former Indiana Pacers shooter.
A world without borders
And he made them very wealthy: their average salary rose from $ 250,000 in 1984 to $ 5 million in 2014 ($ 7 today). Gains that have been supported by constantly growing turnover, during a mandate where seven franchises have been created, to increase the League to 30 clubs, and where others have moved.
"I think it's important to remember where this country was in terms of race relations. David Stern has made it a sport for everyone, not just a minority," said the former Detroit player. Isiah Thomas.
"Your vision to make our game PLANETARY, only you could realize it. That's what you did. Make our sport the greatest sport in the world! It was an honor to know you personally", reacted LeBron James on Instagram.
By leading the NBA to conquer the world, Stern has also opened the door to more and more non-American players, from the German Dirk Nowitzki to the French Tony Parker, pioneers of the current foreign stars that are the Greek Giannis Antetokounmpo, MVP in title, or the Slovenian prodigy Luka Doncic, among the 108 international players listed this season in the NBA.
For making it one of the most powerful sports leagues in the world, Stern was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016. He received the title of "Commissioner Emeritus" after his retirement.
"Stay in peace Mr. David Stern, THE best commissioner we have ever had," tweeted Shaquille O'Neal, summing up the general feeling of the NBA microcosm.
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