NBA Commissioner David Stern today announced that he will retire on Feb. 1, 2014, a date that marks his 30th anniversary as the league's top exec. Stern will be succeeded by league Deputy Commissioner & COO Adam Silver, who was unanimously chosen by the league BOG as the next commissioner. Stern said, "It's been a great run. ... The league is in terrific condition. One of the things I did best was provide a successor." Silver said, "I think David is the one who turned sport leagues into brands" (Mult., 10/25).
USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt writes Stern is "widely regarded as one of the best commissioners in all of sports." SEATTLEPI.com's Nick Eaton writes while Stern "has helped grow the league to great popularity," he is also "the man many Seattleites hate for allowing the Sonics to leave."
2K Sports’ Chris Manning wrote on his Twitter feed, “We've all been critical of David Stern at some point, but he's undeniably done great things for the @NBA - Silver has big shoes to fill.” Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic’s Ivan Carter wrote, “Stern's legacy is ultra complicated. Helped make NBA global and made ALOT of people $. Also, moved teams, lied thru lockouts etc.” ESPN’s Bill Simmons wrote, “Really happy for Adam Silver - he's one of the smartest people I have met in sports. Truly cares about the league. We're in good hands.” The AP’s Tim Reynolds wrote, “Everyone I know who knows Adam Silver pretty much says the same thing about Adam Silver: ‘Good dude.’”
