David Stern and the Rise of the NBA

The NBA was a leader in the globalization movement that has seen many star players come from all over the world to play in the league.

Michael Jordan and the Dream Team won a gold medal in Barcelona, Spain at the 1992 Summer Olympics, but more importantly the NBA was able to promote its league on a worldwide stage.

Now, Spaniards Pau Gasol and his brother Marc play in the NBA alongside players such as Rudy Fernandez and future players like Ricky Rubio.

Stern was able to bring China's Yao Ming to the NBA and his marketing success with Ming has been superb with Ming marketing products, making All-Star teams, and representing the NBA in a very positive way.

These international stars aren't just in the league to for financial reasons, though. They are winners and the backbones of championship teams.

Nigerian-born Hakeem Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to back-toback titles in 1994 and '95.

Tony Parker of France has won 3 rings with the San Antonio Spurs.

Canada's Steve Nash and Germany's Dirk Nowitzki have won MVP awards.

The game is expanding and there is still plenty of room to grow.

Major league baseball has a public realtions disaster with its steroid scandal. Manny Ramirez, Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens, and many other star players have sullied the league's image.

The NFL's front-loaded, signing bonus-based contracts pay many rookies more than its star veterans.

As a result, plenty of star veteran players are forced out, traded, or disgruntled and always seeking a trade (see Brett Favre, Chad Johnson, and Terrell Owens).

Yet, David Stern has managed a good balance of promoting his player's while protecting his owners.

The salaries of NBA stars are guaranteed and competitive with baseball's high salaries.

But NBA owners are comforted with contract limits and three-year locks for its first-rounders.

Baseball and football players have been known to go on strike from time to time in order to fight for their rights.

Although there was a lockout for some of the 1998-99 season, NBA players don't go on strike. Stern and his cooperative nature are responsible for keeping the players and owners on the same page.

Stern also suppports owners when they need a new arena or want to sell a team.

Remember MLB's fiasco with the Montreal Expos or the NFL's Al Davis' teasing Oakland and Los Angeles.

P.S. It's ridiculous that the NFL doesn't have a franchise in Los Angeles...But hey, Southern Cal is basically a pro team right?

To survive in major professional sports in America, a league needs its major market teams to thrive...at least every few years.

Stern has some of the most profitable major market teams in America.

The top ten markets include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia, and Miami, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco.

Sound familiar? The Bulls, Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, and Heat have all won titles during Stern's tenure. The 76ers and Mavericks have been to the NBA Finals and the Wizards and Warriors have experienced some success.

Magic Johnson(West Coast), Michael Jordan(Midwest), and Larry Bird (East Coast) captivated entire regions and helped spur rivalries.

Plus, the NBA's East v. West concept is great for keeping the entire country watching the playoffs. Other leagues have formats that lead to matchups that may not be as interesting to a wide audience.

Remember MLB's San Francisco Giants v. L.A. Angels or the Yankees v. Mets subway series? Or the NFL's Buffalo v. New York and San Francisco v. San Diego in Super Bowls?

Portland. San Antonio. Orlando. Memphis. Oklahoma City. Sacremento.

All are cities where the NBA has little or no competition and the result is a great fan support in these cities.

In the late-'80s before the NFL, NHL, and MLB would decide to copy this shrewd move, Stern had already taken advantage of the fact that several major U.S. cities were starving for NBA teams.

He was able to sell franchises to cities for enormous prices and in the process increase player salaries and further expand the game domestically.

Portland sold out every game this year while making the playoffs.

The NBA has Hollywood and Wall Street.

Some of the best endorsers in sports are current or former NBA players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Charles Barkley.

While you see a few stars at NFL and MLB games, the NBA is the place to be if you want to see some of the biggest names in film or music.

Jack Nicholson(Lakers) and Spike Lee(Knicks) are diehard fans of their
teams.

Jay-Z (Nets), Nelly(Bobcats), and Usher(Cavs) all own parts of NBA teams.

There's even star computer guys like Paul Allen(Trailblazers) and Mark Cuban (Mavericks) love the NBA.

Not to mention that Tony Parker is married to superstar actress Eva Longoria, Kenyon Martin is dating rapper Trina, Daniel Gibson is dating singer Keyshia Cole, and Carmelo Anthony is married to MTV personality Lala Vazquez.

Between the Slam Dunk Contest, Three Point Contest, Rookie Challenge, Skills Challenge, and Skills Challenge, there is plenty for everyone to enjoy.

Oh yeah, and there's an All-Star game, too.

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is the reason most people know Spud Webb and Nate Robinson.

Larry Legend added to his legacy in the three-point contest.

Michael Jordan shined in 1988 when he won the Slam Dunk Contest and All-Star MVP at NBA All-Star weekend in Chicago. It was a bit of foreshadowing as MJ would go on to win the 1988 Defensive Player of the Year, scoring title, and MVP.

Stern has made the All-Star game a celebration you don't want to miss.

Is there any loyalty in network television? Not in Stern's opinion.

After failing to get the deal he wanted for the NBA, Stern has jumped ship on more than one occasion. He successfully helped negotiate NBA television rights with three major networks: first with CBS, then with NBC, and now with ABC/ESPN. He also negotiated a pricey deal with TNT.

Lost in this capitalistic endeavor is Stern's NBA Cares program. NBA players do many public service announcements but also exceed rhetoric by building homes and reading to children to promote literacy.

This is a far cry from the drug-infested league that Stern encountered when he first began in 1978 as a lawyer for the league.

"Speak softly and carry a big stick." Teddy Roosevelt

"Don't cut off your nose to spite your face." Anonymous

Those words could describe David Stern's philosophy in running the NBA. He consistently disciplines and calls out NBA coaches, players, referees and owners who get out of hand. But he doesn't go too far to hurt the league, its image, or the pockets of those involved.

Mark Cuban has loose lips? Fine him $50,000.

Latrell Sprewell and Ron Artest out of control? Suspend them for a year.

Referees making bad calls? Disparage them publicly. Gambling refs? Send 'em to the showers...game over.

But Stern has been very fair.

He allowed Latrell Sprewell and Ron Artest to come back to the league. Both eventually became better-behaved individuals.

He repeatedly defends referees and some of their most controversial calls.

Although Mark Cuban may not be his best friend, none of the other professional sports would allow a character like Cuban.