NBA: death of David Stern, commissioner of the North American basketball league from 1984 to 2014

David Stern, the commissioner (essentially, the CEO appointed by the franchise presidents) of the NBA from February 1984 to February 2014, died from a brain hemorrhage, at the age of 77, on 01/01/2020.

"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. 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," declared Adam Silver, his successor as NBA commissioner, on 01/01/2020.

The league "at a crossroads" in 1984 had a total revenue of around $200m (€180m), the NBA generated nearly $5bn (€3.75bn) in annual revenue in 2014 when David Stern left. An explosion of income accompanied by that of the value of franchises: bought for $13m (€11.5m) in 1983, the Los Angeles…