Former NBA commissioner David Stern died Wednesday afternoon, according to a release from the league.
Stern, 77, suffered a brain hemorrhage at a New York restaurant Dec. 17 and was hospitalized in serious condition. The league’s release said his wife Dianne and his family were at his bedside when he died.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver statement regarding the passing of NBA Commissioner Emeritus David J. Stern pic.twitter.com/aW4WbxFQED
The former commissioner oversaw the NBA for 30 years during which the league significantly grew in public visibility. The NBA added seven teams during his tenure and the WNBA was born in 1997 under his watch.