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In this 1991 gem of a story by E.M. Swift, NBA commissioner David Stern is described as "a thinker and kibitzer and needler and innovator."
Which is exactly how Stern led professional basketball from the backwater to a global powerhouse during his three-decade tenure as commissioner. I know, I know. There was Bird and Magic in the 80s and Michael in the 90s. Stern is the first to point that out.
But in sports, as in any other business, it takes a great leader to maximize opportunity. That requires thinking, kabitzing, needling and innovating. Oh, and one more very important thing that Stern may have done that better than any other commissioner over the past half-century: learning.
That's why I jumped at the opportunity to chat with Stern for this podcast, where he discusses his tenure as NBA commissioner, what he thinks of virtual reality, Esports, sports gambling and his investments in sports technology.
