NBA players, referees to wear black band honoring David Stern
The Dianne and David Stern Foundation philanthropy included a number of Jewish causes, according to Inside Philanthropy.
By REUTERS, MARC BRODSKY/JTAUpdated: FEBRUARY 27, 2020 18:24Former NBA Commissioner David Stern(photo credit: KEITH BEDFORD/REUTERS)
NBA players and referees will wear a commemorative black band on their uniforms honoring former commissioner David Stern, who died Wednesday.The league said Friday the bands will be worn throughout the rest of the 2019-20 season, including the playoffs.Stern, 77, suffered a brain hemorrhage on Dec. 12 and collapsed at a New York City restaurant. He was NBA commissioner from 1984-2014 and greatly increased the stature of the league during his tenure. Longtime lieutenant Adam Silver replaced Stern as commissioner.“David took over the NBA in 1984 with the league at a crossroads. But over the course of 30 years as Commissioner, he ushered in the modern global NBA. He launched groundbreaking media and marketing partnerships, digital assets and social responsibility programs that have brought the game to billions of people around the world,” Silver said in a statement. “Because of David, the NBA is a truly global brand — making him not only one of the greatest sports commissioners of all time but also one of the most influential business leaders of his generation.”The Dianne and David Stern Foundation philanthropy included a number of Jewish causes, according to Inside Philanthropy.Stern is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.The Teaneck, New Jersey, native lived in suburban Scarsdale, New York, with his wife; they have two sons. His wife and family were at his bedside when he died, ESPN reported, citing the NBA’s announcement of Stern’s passing.Stern was a graduate of Rutgers University and earned his law degree at Columbia. He came to the NBA from the law firm Proskauer, Rose, Goetz & Mendelsohn, which represented the league. He became the league’s general counsel in 1978 and took over as commissioner from Larry O’Brien.
