While the NBA’s owner and players where still mired in a staring contest during last year’s lockout, David Stern said a couple of times that this would be his last collective bargaining agreement. Essentially, indicating that he would retire soon.

True to his word, it is being reported that he is officially set to retire on February 1, 2014.

During the 1990s, Stern was widely regarded as the best commissioner in sports. However over the past 5-7 years or so, he has come under some criticism for certain decisions and policies. Despite that, his tenure as NBA commish was definitely a success.

David Stern, NBA Commissioner since Feb. 1, 1984, announced Thursday he will step down Feb. 1, 2014, and Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver unanmiously was chosen to succeed him.

Widely regarded as one of the best commissioners in all of sports, Stern turned basketball into a multi-billion dollar global business after the NBA had struggled to find its place on the sports landscape more than three decades ago.

“It’s been a great run,” Stern said. “It’ll continue for another 15 months. The league is in terrific condition.”