Sports
David Stern’s Net Worth Revealed as NBA Powerhouse Leaves Lasting Legacy
Legendary Commissioner amassed a reported $135 million by the time of his passing in 2020
David Joel Stern, the transformative NBA commissioner from 1984 to 2014, left behind a formidable financial legacy. At the time of his death on January 1, 2020, his net worth was widely reported to be around $135 million, according to sources such as Celebrity Net Worth, The Wealth Advisor, and The Cinemaholic
This substantial wealth stemmed primarily from his lucrative salary as the NBA’s head, reportedly earning about $20 million per year during his tenure . Beyond salary, Stern’s enduring value came from dramatically growing the league’s worth—transforming a $118 million revenue league in the early 1980s into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise by the time he retired
Stern’s strategic initiatives—global expansion, gender equity, and multimedia innovation—cemented the NBA’s status as a global powerhouse. He launched NBA TV and League Pass, led the league through major TV deals, established the WNBA and G League, and set in motion the international training camps and exhibitions that fueled global fan growth
Though his fortune pales beside modern billionaire sports figures, $135 million represents a remarkable personal achievement for a commissioner driven more by institutional reform than profit-chasing. His legacy lives on through the thriving league, the annual Larry O’Brien Trophy presentations, and his lasting impact on sports administration.