David Stern to Step Down as NBA Commissioner in February 2014, Adam Silver to Assume Role

NBA commissioner David Stern will step down from his position on February 1, 2014, he announced on Thursday.

In an announcement made by the league on Thursday afternoon, the NBA board of governors unanimously approved the decision by Stern to step down, and appointed the next man to lead the NBA, current deputy commissioner Adam Silver.

Stern, who has hinted at retirement earlier, confirmed these inclinations with the announcement on Thursday.

The 70-year-old has been a part of the NBA since 1978, when he served as general counsel. He took over the commissioner’s job after Larry O’Brien retired in 1984.

Silver, Stern’s replacement, has been in professional basketball for over 10 years, serving as Stern’s right-hand-man since 2006.