Stern undergoes surgery

NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage earlier today for which he underwent emergency surgery.

DAVID Stern undergoes emergency surgery. AFP

LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Former National Basketball Association (NBA) commissioner David Stern underwent emergency surgery on Thursday after suffering a brain hemorrhage, the NBA announced.

“NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern suffered a sudden brain hemorrhage earlier today for which he underwent emergency surgery. Our thoughts and prayers are with David and his family,” the league said in a news release.

ESPN reported that the 77-year-old Stern collapsed at a New York restaurant and was rushed to a hospital where doctors performed the operation.

The NBA did not release any details on his condition.

Stern served as commissioner from 2006 to 2014 before he was replaced by Adam Silver. Before that he was deputy commissioner under Russ Granik from 1990 to 2006.

During Stern’s 30 years as commissioner, the league added seven new franchises, relocated a half dozen others and dramatically increased revenues.

The average salary went from $250,000 in 1984 to $5 million.

Stern was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014 and the International Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. He was given the title of “Commissioner Emeritus” after he retired.