CX Monthly

Last January, I flew to New York City to attend the memorial service that honored David J. Stern.  It was a “sellout” at the mammoth Radio City Music Hall.  David influenced perhaps thousands of people who aspired for a career in sports business, including having a profound impact on me, as I was lucky enough to work at the NBA in the mid-80’s at a time when there were only about 50 people at the league office.  On my first day, we crossed paths in the halls, where he noticed I did not have collar stays to straighten the collars of my dress shirts – to this day, I never forget that appearance matters!  When David finally raised he voice at me, I was relieved, as that was a sign that I was noticed, mattered and relevant.  When he called me at home (several times) during national television broadcasts, reacting to the smallest production details, I learned that brand was everything.  As we come to the anniversary of David’s far-too-early passing at 77, thinking about leadership, I want to share some great accounts. 

(Marshall Glickman, CEO, G2 Strategic)

Blazers owner Paul Allen (who passed in October, 2018), comedian Dana Carvey, NBA Commissioner David J. Stern and G2 Strategic CEO Marshall Glickman, on opening night of Portland’s new Rose Garden (now Moda Center) arena, September 1995)

 

Visionary, progressive, difficult, passionate: basketball pays tribute to David Stern (SportsPro, Jan. 3, 2020)

Leadership Lessons from One of the Great Chief Executives: David Stern (Forbes, Nov. 1, 2012)

3 Reasons Business Leaders Worship the NBA’s David Stern (Sportscasting, Feb. 1, 2014)

David Stern: Basketball’s Architect 

Remembering the man who turned the NBA into a model for modern leagues (Sports Business Journal, Jan. 6, 2020)