Longest serving NBA commissioner passes away

David Stern, the longest serving NBA commissioner, has passed away at the age of 77. Stern died on New Year’s Day after suffering a brain hemorrhage on Dec. 12.

Stern was named commissioner on Feb. 1, 1984, and has seen the league expand into Canada and add seven new franchises during his tenure.

Stern also helped basketball game become televised in more than 200 countries and territories before he retired in 2014.

Stern died in Manhattan surrounded by his wife, Diane, and other close family members.