David Stern
David Stern
David Joel Stern is the former commissioner of the National Basketball Association. He started with the Association in 1966 as an outside counsel, 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. He is credited with increasing the popularity of the NBA in the 1990s and 2000s...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBusiness Executive
Date of Birth22 September 1942
CityNew York City, NY
CountryUnited States of America
We went right to the terms of this new agreement. The adidas presence on a global basis is extraordinary.
Of all the cities, Oklahoma City was the best geographical match in terms of travel for our teams. If the Hornets do well in Oklahoma City, we expect that they would not return economically hobbled.
The perception problem was there, and therefore it was real, ... We were focusing on that issue even before the brawl, but it certainly was an exclamation point in terms of perceptions of NBA players. We've got to do a better job of both acknowledging it and working to correct it.
By nature, I'm a person who always says that whatever I've done, I could've done better. But I don't dwell on it because I'm waiting for the next time something happens and try to believe that my past experience will have helped to educate me in terms of how I deal with future ones.
If (players) are really going to have a problem, they will have to make a decision about how they want to spend their adult life in terms of playing in the NBA or not, ... quite liberal and easygoing.
Allen proves as well as anyone else has ever proven that if you've got game and you leave it all out there, you pick up the admiration of people around the world. And we love to see that happening. Because that's what shows our game at its best, sort of the teamwork, what it takes to play at the level and what he's willing to put up with in terms of injuries to continue to excel at this level.
I've taken the tour, sampled the fare, looked at the extraordinary video board ? this is one exciting building. You cannot miss the video board, it is simply the best in the league.
I've said it from Day 1 that Oklahoma City is a temporary, interim stop.
Is the question do I think the officials miss a play? Absolutely!
Is (pro bono work) considered in the associate's evaluation? Will it be considered in their favor? Unfortunately it is not the case. ... Most firms do not prize pro bono as a criterion for partnership. You can count them on one hand.
epitomized hard work, dedication and perseverance, and more importantly compassion, kindness and selflessness.
Right now, we're operating on the assumption that the team is returning in 2007-2008. I think that that will pretty much reveal itself by this time next year -- the All-Star Game in Las Vegas.
preferred that we do it as a group.
Russ discussed with me his desire to step down as deputy commissioner once our collective bargaining negotiations were concluded, but I persuaded him to stay on for an additional season. He will be functioning as usual for the next eight months, but we agreed that it was appropriate to let the Board of Governors know his plans as far in advance as possible.