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Former NBA commissioner David Stern, 77, received emergency surgery Thursday after suffering from a "sudden brain hemorrhage," the Washington Post reports.

The big picture: Stern led the NBA for 30 years and transformed the league into one of the most profitable sports operations in the world. Since leaving the NBA, Stern has been involved in efforts to use new technology, like virtual reality, to change fans' sports consumption.

Go deeper: NBA ratings are down, but fans are still engaged

Former NBA commissioner David Stern suffers brain hemorrhage

He transformed the league into one of the world's most profitable sports operations.

Former NBA commissioner David Stern. Photo: Adam Jeffery/CNBC/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Sports

National Basketball Association (NBA)

Former NBA commissioner David Stern, 77, received emergency surgery Thursday after suffering from a &quot;sudden brain hemorrhage,&quot; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Washington Post reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/12/12/former-nba-commissioner-david-stern-suffers-sudden-brain-hemorrhage-league-says/" data-vars-content-id="9c0644d1-9804-4afa-85b3-b9b35f090b56" data-vars-headline="Former NBA commissioner David Stern suffers brain hemorrhage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/12/12/former-nba-commissioner-david-stern-suffers-sudden-brain-hemorrhage-league-says/" target="_blank">the Washington Post reports</a>.The big picture: Stern led the NBA for 30 years and transformed the league into one of the most profitable sports operations in the world. Since leaving the NBA, Stern has been involved in efforts to use new technology, like virtual reality, to change fans&#x27; sports consumption.Go deeper: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="NBA ratings are down, but fans are still engaged" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/nba-television-ratings-down-espn-tnt-c7891750-d3fe-4b25-ab38-01b8f5b8ed51.html" data-vars-content-id="9c0644d1-9804-4afa-85b3-b9b35f090b56" data-vars-headline="Former NBA commissioner David Stern suffers brain hemorrhage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/nba-television-ratings-down-espn-tnt-c7891750-d3fe-4b25-ab38-01b8f5b8ed51.html" target="_self">NBA ratings are down, but fans are still engaged</a>

Shifts in technology and media are changing the way we play, watch and understand sports. Business models are adapting and social change is forcing those in charge of teams and leagues to reconsider decades-old practices.

Former NBA commissioner David Stern suffers brain hemorrhage

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