Report: David Stern Is Being Encouraged To Run For Mayor Of New York City
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- David Stern is regarded by many as the greatest commissioner in the history of the National Basketball Association.
The Rutgers University and Columbia Law School alumnus served as the fourth commissioner of the NBA from 1984 until 2014, when he stepped down.
Adam Silver is currently running the league, but what's next for Stern?
Politics, perhaps?
According to the New York Post, friends of the Teaneck, New Jersey, native are encouraging him to run for mayor of New York City in 2017.
Stern is a lifelong Democrat, and he has a history of contributing to the party.
"He's pretty bored," one unnamed source told the newspaper. "He's always been interested in politics, and he's always been interested in running for office."
Bill de Blasio, the incumbent, assumed office in January of 2014. He's been widely criticized by both parties since taking office, and it's far from a sure thing that he'll be elected to a second term.
According to the New York Post, Stern has given $311,400 to Democrats -- including $5,000 to President Barack Obama in 2012 and $30,800 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in 2011.
Stern, a lawyer, served as the NBA's general counsel prior to being named commissioner.
"He's tough as nails," an unnamed associate of Stern's told the newspaper. "He's popular with the black community. New York would be lucky to have him as mayor."
The New York Post, however, reports that Stern is not interested in running.
"I remain a happy Westchester resident and am very busy as a senior adviser to a number of enterprises," the 72-year-old said.