NBA Commissioner David Stern will announce Thursday that he plans on retiring from his position on Feb. 1, 2014.

Stern's, 70, first work with the league began in 1966 as an outside counsel under former commissioner Larry O'Brien. He began his reign as league commissioner on Feb. 1, 1984 and since has led the league to voluminous growth since he took over.

Stern has commissioned through the eras of Larry Bird/Magic Johnson in the 1980's, Michael Jordan in the 1990's, and Kobe Bryant/LeBron James of the 2000's and he's helped the league reach new heights of popularity worldwide. The NBA also added seven expansions teams and relocated another six under Stern. He has also seen the league through four lockouts, the most recent one shortening the 2011-12 season to 66 games.

Last December, at the time a new collective bargaining agreement was announced, he predicted it would be the final labor deal before he steps down.

"This is a 10-year (labor) deal, with a re-opener at six," Stern said at the time, explaining that either the owners or the players union can opt out after six seasons. "I'm not planning to be here certainly for the 10 and probably not the six."

Stern will be replaced by Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver, who has been his right-hand man and advisor for the past few years.

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