You always hate to hear of people's death, but for it to happen on the first day of the new year can be crushing. Former NBA commissioner David Stern passed on Wednesday at 77 years-old. According to TMZ, he died 3 weeks after suffering a brain hemorrhage. He had emergency brain surgery but was unable to make a recovery. It was definitely a sad day in the NBA because Stern he has done so much and ushered in growth in the league during his 30-year tenure when he served as commissioner. Stern was also known for implementing the NBA's dress code which required players to wear business casual attire to games, and launched the WNBA. ESPN reports Stern's tenure made the NBA one of the most popular leagues in the world and increased television revenue from $10 million per year to approximately $900 million per year. Even during Stern's time, he has seen some of the greats from Michael Jordan getting into the league to LeBron James winning his second NBA title. Michael Jordan said, "Without David Stern, the NBA would not be what it is today. He guided the league through turbulent times and grew the league into an international phenomenon, creating opportunities that few could have imagined before."