Former NBA Commissioner, David Stern, died Wednesday.
The news broke just after 3 p.m. CT. Per ESPN, Stern passed away as a result of a brain hemorrhage that he suffered approximately three weeks ago, on December 17. Stern was 77 years old.
Condolences have poured in from around the league.
Wednesday evening, Thunder chairman, Clayton I. Bennett, released a statement on behalf of the entire organization regarding Stern’s passing.
“Beyond his creative brilliance and forceful leadership, David was a dear friend and trusted advisor to me over the course of more than two decades. Our business relationship took us through multiple and sometimes challenging issues together as well as great triumphs. Through it all, David led with strength, fairness and a keen sense of doing what was right for our franchises, our players and our fans. He leaves an enormous legacy and we will forever benefit from his influence.
On behalf of the entire Thunder organization, we send our deepest condolences to Dianne and the Stern family.”
Stern was the NBA commissioner for three decades, his tenure spanning from 1984 to 2014. He oversaw the growth of the NBA, both domestically and internationally, the formation of the WNBA, and played an instrumental part in bringing a professional basketball team to Oklahoma City.
According to a 2014 article by The Oklahoman, Stern was the one that suggested OKC to George Shinn as a temporary home for the Hornets after Hurricane Katrina.
Although the Hornets returned to New Orleans after the 2006-2007 season, per The Oklahoman, Stern knew there was a future for the NBA in Oklahoma City.
Stern attended the Hornets’ finale in OKC and said: “I’m not going to steal a line from General MacArthur and use the word ‘shall.’ Instead, we’ll use the words ‘expect to.’ We expect to return to Oklahoma City.”
Return they did. Stern helped move the Seattle Supersonics to Oklahoma City in the summer of 2008, and the Thunder was created.
Bennett spoke warmly of his relationship with Stern prior to the former commissioner’s retirement in 2014.
“David’s leadership and his accomplishments for this league have been vast and nothing short of extraordinary,” Bennett said in a statement released Thursday after Stern’s retirement announcement. “It has been an enormous personal privilege to work with such a legendary figure in the business of sports.”
Condolences to the entire Stern family, his wife Dianne, and his sons Eric and Andrew.