David Stern will step down as NBA commissioner on February 1, 2014 and will be replaced by deputy commissioner Adam Silver, the NBA Board of Governors announced today.
Stern took over as commissioner in 1984 and is entering his 29th season as the top executive in the NBA, the longest current tenure among the top four professional sports organizations.
Under his watch, the NBA has expanded by seven teams while launching the Women's National Basketball Association and the NBA Development League.
Stern is also credited with expanding the game internationally, as the league has opened offices in 15 global markets while broadcasting games in 215 countries. Stern also greatly expanded NBA All-Star weekend while starting NBA Cares in 2005, which has given over $205 million to charity since its inception.
Silver joined the NBA in 1992 and has worked with the league in a variety of roles before being named the NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer in July 2006.