NBA Commissioner David Stern was interviewed by David
Moore of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS. In the Q&A, Moore asked
Stern if he expected NBA Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik to
replace him when he steps aside. Stern: "The owners
understand that Russ Granik is the chief operating officer,
and in most companies, if the chief executive officer
leaves, the chief operating officer moves up. That is what
I'm sure is going to happen in the NBA ... I think the
owners share in that (opinion of Granik). In some areas, I
think they are higher on him than me." Stern, on his
future: "I used to think I wasn't going to be here past 55.
Now I think I'm not going to be here past 60. ... there are
some things I might like to do in the public interest, but
I'm not running after any particular commercial
opportunities" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/23).
THE RANTS: In Seattle, columnist Glenn Nelson, on the
state of the NBA: "The thing I detest most about where the
NBA is going ... is that it has become the purview of the
rich and famous. That includes the owners, players and
fans. An entire generation of future players has been
priced out of NBA arenas. For most, the game is little more
than 30 seconds of 'Jam Session,' 'Rewind' or 'SportsCenter'
highlights and, of course, the concomitant purchase of
licensed goods" (SEATTLE TIMES, 3/23).
