David Stern: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
rm unsourced Jewish categories
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{othernames}}
{{othernames}}
'''David Joel Stern''' (born on [[September 22]], [[1942]] in [[New York City]], [[New York]]) is the current commissioner of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) since 1984, when control transitioned from the previous commissioner, [[Larry O'Brien]]. David Stern grew up in [[Teaneck, New Jersey|Teaneck]], [[New Jersey]], and is a graduate of [[Teaneck High School]]. Stern attended [[Rutgers University]] on a full scholarship. He graduated as a dean's-list history student in 1963 and graduated from [[Columbia Law School]] in 1966.
'''David Joel Stern''' (born on [[September 22]], [[1942]] in [[New York City]], [[New York]]) is the current commissioner of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) since 1984, when control transitioned from the previous commissioner, [[Larry O'Brien]]. David Stern grew up in [[Teaneck, New Jersey|Teaneck]], [[New Jersey]], and is a graduate of [[Teaneck High School]]. Stern attended [[Rutgers University]] on a full scholarship. He graduated as a dean's-list history student in 1963 and graduated from [[Columbia Law School]] in 1966.
Stern began his association with the NBA in 1966 as 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.
Stern began his association with the NBA in 1966 as outside counsel, joined the NBA in 1678 as General Counsel and became the league's Executive Vice President in 1980. He became Commissioner in 1984, succeeding Larry O'Brien.
Stern has served on the [[Rutgers University]] Board of Overseers and currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of [[Columbia University]]. He is also a member of the [[Council on Foreign Relations]].<ref name=NBABio>[http://www.nba.com/nba101/david_j_stern_bio.html David J. Stern], [[National Basketball Association]]. Accessed [[September 3]], [[2007]].</ref>
Stern has served on the [[Rutgers University]] Board of Overseers and currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of [[Columbia University]]. He is also a member of the [[Council on Foreign Relations]].<ref name=NBABio>[http://www.nba.com/nba101/david_j_stern_bio.html David J. Stern], [[National Basketball Association]]. Accessed [[September 3]], [[2007]].</ref>


Line 9: Line 9:
The arrival of Michael Jordan, in particular, ushered in a new era of greatness for the NBA. With him came his flair and talent for the game, and that brought in shoe contracts from [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] which helped to give the league even more national attention.<ref>{{cite web | title = In terms of dollars, Jordan was NBA's real MVP | publisher = [[Sports Illustrated]] | first = Marty | last = Burns | url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/marty_burns/news/2002/05/07/burns_jordan/ | date = [[2002-05-07]] | accessdate = 2007-07-20 }}</ref> Jordan and the two other premier [[basketball]] legends of the 1980s, [[Larry Bird]] and [[Magic Johnson]], took the game to new heights of popularity and profit. By 2002, Stern had seen the NBA expand from 23 to 30 franchises, expand into [[Canada]], and televise games in over 200 countries.
The arrival of Michael Jordan, in particular, ushered in a new era of greatness for the NBA. With him came his flair and talent for the game, and that brought in shoe contracts from [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] which helped to give the league even more national attention.<ref>{{cite web | title = In terms of dollars, Jordan was NBA's real MVP | publisher = [[Sports Illustrated]] | first = Marty | last = Burns | url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/inside_game/marty_burns/news/2002/05/07/burns_jordan/ | date = [[2002-05-07]] | accessdate = 2007-07-20 }}</ref> Jordan and the two other premier [[basketball]] legends of the 1980s, [[Larry Bird]] and [[Magic Johnson]], took the game to new heights of popularity and profit. By 2002, Stern had seen the NBA expand from 23 to 30 franchises, expand into [[Canada]], and televise games in over 200 countries.


Stern also oversaw the creation of the [[WNBA]], a professional women's basketball league. Under Stern's watch the NBA has undergone an unprecedented internationalization. Setting up NBA training camps and exhibition games around the globe as well as the influx of international players into the league which have played a role in developing the character of the NBA in the 21st century.<ref>DuPree, David. [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/playoffs/2005-06-14-international-finals_x.htm "NBA Finals are whole new world"], ''[[USA Today]]'', [[June 14]], [[2005]]. Accessed [[September 3]], [[2007]].</ref>
Stern also oversaw the creation of the [[WNBA]], a professional women's basketball league. The implmentation of this league may very well be the worst idea in the history of mankind, but at least a few over-grown women are getting payed. Under Stern's watch the NBA has undergone an unprecedented internationalization. Setting up NBA training camps and exhibition games around the globe as well as the influx of international players into the league which have played a role in developing the character of the NBA in the 21st century.<ref>DuPree, David. [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/playoffs/2005-06-14-international-finals_x.htm "NBA Finals are whole new world"], ''[[USA Today]]'', [[June 14]], [[2005]]. Accessed [[September 3]], [[2007]].</ref>
The NBA now has 11 offices in cities outside the United States, is televised in 212 nations in 42 languages, and operates the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] and the [[National Basketball Development League]] under the guidance of Stern.<ref>http://www.seattlechamber.com/pls/starter/newsletter_detail.read_pdf?v_newsletter_id=181 City of Seattle</ref>
The NBA now has 11 offices in cities outside the United States, is televised in 212 nations in 42 languages, and operates the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] and the [[National Basketball Development League]] under the guidance of Stern.<ref>http://www.seattlechamber.com/pls/starter/newsletter_detail.read_pdf?v_newsletter_id=181 City of Seattle</ref>


Revision as of 04:23, 31 January 2008

Template:Othernames David Joel Stern (born on September 22, 1942 in New York City, New York) is the current commissioner of the National Basketball Association (NBA) since 1984, when control transitioned from the previous commissioner, Larry O'Brien. David Stern grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, and is a graduate of Teaneck High School. Stern attended Rutgers University on a full scholarship. He graduated as a dean's-list history student in 1963 and graduated from Columbia Law School in 1966. Stern began his association with the NBA in 1966 as outside counsel, joined the NBA in 1678 as General Counsel and became the league's Executive Vice President in 1980. He became Commissioner in 1984, succeeding Larry O'Brien. Stern has served on the Rutgers University Board of Overseers and currently serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Columbia University. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.[1]

NBA Commissioner

Stern's first association with the NBA in 1966 as an outside counsel. In 1978, Stern became the NBA's General Counsel, and by 1980 was Executive Vice President of the NBA. On February 1, 1984, Stern became the fourth Commissioner of the NBA. It was during that same season (1984-85) that four of the NBA's biggest superstars — Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton — entered the league.

The arrival of Michael Jordan, in particular, ushered in a new era of greatness for the NBA. With him came his flair and talent for the game, and that brought in shoe contracts from Nike which helped to give the league even more national attention.[2] Jordan and the two other premier basketball legends of the 1980s, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, took the game to new heights of popularity and profit. By 2002, Stern had seen the NBA expand from 23 to 30 franchises, expand into Canada, and televise games in over 200 countries.

Stern also oversaw the creation of the WNBA, a professional women's basketball league. The implmentation of this league may very well be the worst idea in the history of mankind, but at least a few over-grown women are getting payed. Under Stern's watch the NBA has undergone an unprecedented internationalization. Setting up NBA training camps and exhibition games around the globe as well as the influx of international players into the league which have played a role in developing the character of the NBA in the 21st century.[3] The NBA now has 11 offices in cities outside the United States, is televised in 212 nations in 42 languages, and operates the Women's National Basketball Association and the National Basketball Development League under the guidance of Stern.[4]

Under Stern's watch the NBA's charitable contributions have increased. Including the NBA's "Read to Achieve" and "NBA Cares" social programs, organized throughout various NBA communities.[1]

Stern has demanded that all U.S. states with NBA franchises and the province of Ontario, Canada, are not to have casinos and lotteries that distribute NBA basketball betting.[5] Stern has also reformed the management structure of the NBA, including delegating extensive responsibility to Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver.

Criticism and controversy

Stern has been at the center of multiple controversies during his time as commissioner.

In the 1997 NBA playoffs, the NBA suspended five players following a brawl between the New York Knicks and Miami Heat. Some of the suspensions were required by a league rule, implemented under Stern, that provides an automatic one-game suspension to any player who leaves his team's bench during a fight, such as the suspension in the 2007 Playoffs from the Suns-Spurs Game. Several players who had not gotten involved in the fight were also suspended, prompting complaints from officials on both teams.[6]

In 2000, after it had been revealed that the Minnesota Timberwolves had tampered with Joe Smith two years earlier, the NBA league office punished Minnesota severely, voiding the last year of Smith's contract, fining the franchise $3.5 million and taking the Timberwolves' next 3 1st-round NBA Draft picks.[7]. Although it was believed by many that tampering is a common practice, Stern abided by arbitrator Kenneth Dam's ruling that the Timberwolves had signed the secret agreement, and denied that the league was making an example of the Timberwolves.[8]

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 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."[9]

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.[10][11] 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."[12] 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 bounces 30% more erratically."[13] However, Stern initially refused to go back to the original ball despite many complaints by players about the new ball.[14] Two months into the season Stern stated that the new ball may have been a poor choice and poorly tested[15] and "we could've done a better job".[16] On December 11, 2006 the NBA announced that it would in fact switch back to the leather ball starting on January 1, 2007.[17]

Stern has also involved the league in pressuring cities to develop new arenas for their NBA franchises at public expense. In 2007 Stern involved himself and the league in the controversy surrounding the purchase and attempted relocation of the Seattle Supersonics by Clayton Bennett and his ownership group. On November 8, 2007, it was reported that David Stern publicly stated that should the Supersonics leave Seattle no NBA franchise would ever come to Seattle in the future. He went on to criticize the Washington Legislature for refusing to pass an extension of a previously passed tax increase used to partially fund Qwest Field and Safeco Field.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b David J. Stern, National Basketball Association. Accessed September 3, 2007.
  2. ^ Burns, Marty (2002-05-07). "In terms of dollars, Jordan was NBA's real MVP". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2007-07-20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ DuPree, David. "NBA Finals are whole new world", USA Today, June 14, 2005. Accessed September 3, 2007.
  4. ^ http://www.seattlechamber.com/pls/starter/newsletter_detail.read_pdf?v_newsletter_id=181 City of Seattle
  5. ^ http://celtics.bostonherald.com/otherNBA/view.bg?articleid=183634 Boston Herald.xom
  6. ^ http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/05-97/05-16-97/d01sp147.htm
  7. ^ http://espn.go.com/columns/ratto_ray/841035.html
  8. ^ http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/news/2000/10/26/timberwolves_smith_ap/
  9. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/basketball/4392182.stm
  10. ^ http://www.blogmaverick.com/2006/10/05/the-new-nba-ball/
  11. ^ http://www.blogmaverick.com/2006/11/10/the-new-nba-ball-p2/
  12. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2610976
  13. ^ http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2006-10-31-new-nba-ball_x.htm
  14. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2621347
  15. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/06/sports/basketball/06ball.html?ex=1323061200&en=930a8d3b517beaf3&ei=5088partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
  16. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/06/sports/basketball/06ball.html?hp&ex=1165467600&en=08728757c39f319b&ei=5094&partner=homepage
  17. ^ Roscoe, nance. "NBA to ditch new ball, return to old", USA Today, December 11, 2006. Accessed September 3, 2007.
  18. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3100691

External links

Preceded by NBA Commissioner
1984- 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=David_Stern&oldid=188082848"