The NBA was lagging behind the NFL and Major League Baseball in both revenue and television profile when Stern took over in 1984. But by the time he stepped down in 2014 he had overseen the league’s growth from fears of extinction in the late 1970s to a $5 billion enterprise. TV revenue increased more than 40-fold in that span, crossing the $1 billion threshold. He was 77. Above, Stern is flanked by Hakeem Olajuwon, right, the No. 1 pick overall by the Houston Rockets, and Sam Bowie, the No. 2 pick overall by the Portland Trail Blazers, at the NBA Draft in 1984. (AP photo: Marty Lederhandler)
