NBA teams have decided to wear a black stripe on their jerseys for the remainder of this season in honor of former commissioner David Stern, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 77 due to complications from a brain hemorrhage he suffered roughly three weeks ago.

Stern will be remembered as one of the most influential men in all of sports. He presided over the NBA for three decades, broadening its horizons and instituting several rule changes along the way. He's responsible for the creation of the WNBA and the NBA's Developmental League (now the G League). Were it not for his efforts, the NBA would not be the global game that it is today.

“Every member of the NBA family is the beneficiary of David's vision, generosity and inspiration,” current NBA commissioner Adam Silver said of David Stern, via CNN.

Stern turned the NBA around in many ways. On his watch, player salary caps grew from $3.6 million to just under $59 million, and television revenues increased from roughly $22 million to somewhere in the neighborhood of $930 million. According to Forbes, franchise values went from $400 million in his first year on the job (1984) to $19 billion when he retired.

Several players — both past and present — have sent out statements with their regards to David Stern and his family, including Bulls icon and Dream Team member Michael Jordan:

“He guided the league through turbulent times and grew the league into an international phenomenon, creating opportunities that few could have imagined before,” NBA legend Michael Jordan said in a statement, via CNN. “His vision and leadership provided me with the global stage that allowed me to succeed. David had a deep love for the game of basketball and demanded excellence from those around him — and I admired him for that. I wouldn't be where I am without him. I offer my deepest sympathies to Dianne and his family.”

Join us in sending condolences to the Stern family. The NBA family lost one of its greatest members, but the legacy and memories David Stern left behind will live on in the game he so loved.