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NBA Commissioner David Stern announces 2014 retirement

NEW YORK NBA Commissioner David Stern will retire in February 2014, 30 years after he took charge of the league. He will be replaced by Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver.

The announcement came at an NBA Board of Governors meeting Thursday.

Stern, who turned 70 last month, became commissioner on Feb. 1, 1984. He has been the league's longest-serving commissioner, guiding the league through growth around the world.

Stern said he came to the decision to retire about six months ago after resolving the lockout that derailed the beginning of the last NBA season, ESPN reports.

"I don't know what else to say other than to recite what I told the owners yesterday in executive session," Stern said, according to ESPN. "I told them that it's been a great run, it will continue for another 15 months, that the league is in, I think, terrific condition."

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