‘Superman in Sacramento’: Former NBA commissioner David Stern dies at 77
David Stern, the former NBA commissioner who grew the game globally and preserved it locally, died Wednesday at the age of 77, leaving behind an enormous legacy that will be remembered near and far.
Stern suffered a brain hemorrhage and collapsed in a Manhattan restaurant Dec. 12. He died with his wife, Dianne, and their family at his bedside, the NBA said.
Stern achieved so many things in basketball and in life, but in Sacramento he will always be known as the man who helped a small-market city keep its Kings after years of excruciating relocation talks. Kings owner and CEO Vivek Ranadivé issued a statement Wednesday shortly after learning of Stern’s death.
“David will always be remembered as Superman in Sacramento,” Ranadivé said. “His impact on the league will leave a lasting imprint around the world and his fierce support of the team and this community is the reason why the Kings stayed in Sacramento. David’s enthusiasm for our city and belief in our fans will never be forgotten.
“He was a brilliant leader, thoughtful visionary, passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, loyal friend, and loving husband and father who will be deeply missed.”
Stern had been involved with the NBA for nearly two decades before he became its fourth commissioner on Feb. 1, 1984. By the time Stern left his position in 2014 — neither he nor league staffers would say he retired because he never stopped working — a league that fought for a foothold before his tenure had grown into a $5 billion a year industry, making NBA basketball perhaps the world’s most popular sport after soccer.
“Because of David, the NBA is a truly global brand — making him not only one of the greatest sports commissioners of all time, but also one of the most influential business leaders of his generation,” said Adam Silver, who followed Stern as commissioner. “Every member of the NBA family is the beneficiary of David’s vision, generosity and inspiration.”
Sacramento Republic FC president and chief operating officer Ben Gumpert served under Stern for four years as the NBA’s vice president of team marketing and business operations before coming to Sacramento to work for the Kings from 2013-16.
“Thousands upon thousands of us in the industry are beneficiaries of his vision and dedication … and more important, millions upon millions of fans across the (world) are too,” Gumpert tweeted. “I’ll always cherish the times I had (with) him, and all I learned. And (with) his expansive global impact, it’s right here in Sac where he first brought the NBA, opened (three) buildings, and always fought on behalf of the great fans of this city. Always. He’s changed so much for good in so many places — but arguably none more than in Sacramento.”
Kevin Nagle, chairman and CEO of the Sacramento Republic and a minority owner of the Kings, expressed similar sentiments.
“The passing of David Stern is a loss not just for the sports community, but the world in general,” Nagle tweeted. “The work Mr. Stern did to not only grow the game worldwide, but also to help save basketball in Sacramento, will affect generations to come. A life well lived. Rest in peace.”
When Stern’s hemorrhage was announced in December, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg posted a photo of himself and Stern inside Golden 1 Center. Steinberg noted that Stern played a prominent role in keeping the Kings in Sacramento through relocation talks from 2006 to 2013.
On Wednesday, Steinberg tweeted another statement: “Sacramento will owe David Stern a deep debt of gratitude for generations to come. He believed in our city and its promise, and because of that we have both the Kings and a major civic amenity that has helped lift our downtown. He was a great leader.”
Stern was so integral in helping Sacramento keep the Kings that “Kings in Sacramento” was trending on Twitter in California on Wednesday afternoon as word of his death spread on social media.
“Unbelievably sad to hear about the passing of David Stern,” KHTK radio host and Kings play-by-play announcer Grant Napear tweeted. “Great man, a marketing genius and the reason why the @SacramentoKings are still in Sac!”
In 2016, to honor Stern’s legacy, the Kings changed the address of Golden 1 Center to 500 David J. Stern Walk.
“Sadly, 500 David J. Stern Walk in Sacramento takes on a whole new perspective with the passing of the former NBA commissioner,” longtime Kings radio voice Gary Gerould tweeted. “RIP good sir!!”
Stern served as NBA commissioner for 30 years before he was succeeded by Silver in 2014. The league’s longest-tenured commissioner helped globalize the game and oversaw the growth of the NBA, which is now televised in more than 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages.
He also created the machine that turned countless ballplayers into celebrities who were known around the globe by one name: Magic, Michael, Shaq, Kobe and LeBron, just to name a few.
Stern oversaw the birth of seven new franchises and the creation of the WNBA and NBA Development League, now the G League, providing countless opportunities to pursue careers playing basketball in the United States that previously weren’t available.
“Without David Stern, the NBA would not be what it is today,” NBA legend Michael Jordan said in a written statement. “He guided the league through turbulent times and grew the league into an international phenomenon, creating opportunities that few could have imagined before. His vision and leadership provided me with the global stage that allowed me to succeed. David had a deep love for the game of basketball and demanded excellence from those around him — and I admired him for that. I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story was originally published January 1, 2020 at 1:22 PM.