David Stern has had a tremendous run at the top of one of the largest associations in professional sports. The game has changed (some say for the better) under his leadership. Even if you don’t like the rule changes he has made under his rule, making the game ‘soft’ in some fans opinion, you can’t deny the marketing machine he has built during his time.
That all said, Stern recognizes his ‘legacy’ has been tarnished in recent years and his reputation has suffered amongst the fan base following the lockout in 2012. Announcing his impending retirement in 2014, sources close to the NBA say that Stern wants to repair some of the damage by giving the fans what they want. A franchise once again in Seattle. Apparently his final efforts as Commissioner will be focused on making it happen:
Between now and his departure, Stern is determined to get a franchise back into Seattle, league sources said. He has become a strong ally of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s group to bring back the NBA there. Ballmer’s group has been trying to get the Maloof family to sell the Sacramento Kings, so that the franchise can eventually play in a new arena in Seattle.
From the league office, pressure on the Maloofs to sell has been growing, sources said – just as hopes for a new Sacramento arena have been fading. Seattle Sonics fans will never forgive Stern for his complicit role in Clay Bennett’s deception to move that franchise to Oklahoma City, but make no mistake: Stern desperately wants to return the NBA to one of its great markets and wants it for his own measure of vindication before he leaves office. (via)
Someone call Gary Payton, I hear he’s still in decent shape. Too bad the same can’t be said for the Reign Man. Ah well, Seattle get ready, if Stern puts his mind to it, we all know he’s willing to “pull strings” and “call in favors” to get what he wants…
