For the last several years, with both words and actions, David Stern had laid the groundwork for his departure from the job he's both controlled and defined since 1984. He formalized it Thursday, announcing his intention to step down as the longest-tenured commissioner in professional sports. During the NBA's Board of Governors meetings in midtown Manhattan, Stern advised the league's owners of his intention to retire on Feb. 1, 2014, the 30-year anniversary of his taking the job. In doing so, Stern, who turned 70 last month, stayed very much in the character he's developed during those three decades. He made it clear he will remain in charge of league operations for the next 15 months, mentioning that arrangement several times, and making sure his hand-picked successor will be installed. The owners said they will begin negotiating with deputy commissioner Adam Silver to take over for Stern -- a decison they came to unanimously -- when that 15 months comes to an end. The plan is for Silver's appointment to be ratified at next April's Board of Governors meeting. "It's been a great run. The league is in, I think, terrific condition," Stern said. "I'd like to think I did an adequate job. But one of the things I did best was provide a successor. I'm not going anyplace in the next 15 months, but this gives us the opportunity to have a very smooth transition." Source: ESPN
I can't believe he's been doing this for almost 30 years already. :icon_eek: Sent from my HTCEVOV4G using Tapatalk 2
