Stern's first association with the NBA in 1966 was as an outside counsel. In 1978 Stern became the NBA's General Counsel. By 1980 he was Executive Vice President of the NBA. On February 1, 1984, Stern became the fourth Commissioner of the NBA. It was during that same season (1984-85) that four of the NBA's biggest superstars — Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton — entered the league.
The arrival of Michael Jordan, in particular, ushered in a new era of greatness for the NBA. With him came his flair and talent for the game, and that brought in shoe contracts from Nike which helped to give the league even more national attention. Jordan and the two other premier basketball legends of the 1980s, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, took the game to new heights of popularity and profit. By 2002, Stern had seen the NBA expand from 23 to 30 franchises, expand into Canada, and televise games in countries around the world.
Stern also oversaw the creation of the WNBA, a professional women's basketball league. Under Stern's watch the NBA has undergone an unprecedented internationalization. Setting up NBA training camps and exhibition games around the globe as well as the influx of international players into the league which have played a role in developing the character of the NBA in the 21st century. The NBA now has 11 offices in cities outside the United States, is televised in countries around the world, in 42 languages, and operates the Women's National Basketball Association and the National Basketball Development League under the guidance of Stern.
Under Stern's watch the NBA's charitable contributions have increased. Including the NBA's "Read to Achieve" and "NBA Cares" social programs, organized throughout various NBA communities.
Stern has demanded that all U.S. states with NBA franchises and the province of Ontario, Canada, are not to have casinos and lotteries that distribute NBA basketball betting. Stern has also reformed the management structure of the NBA, including delegating extensive responsibility to Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver.
