Stern has been a controversial figure since the NBA lockout. (via Flickr Creative Commons)

National Basketball Association commissioner David Stern will retire in 2014, according to ESPN.

At the NBA's Board of Governors meetings in New York, Stern told the league owners that he will retire on Feb. 1, 2014, 30 years after he started the job.

Magic Johnson said on Twitter that Stern is "the greatest commissioner in all of sports."

The owners said they will start negotiating with deputy commissioner Adam Silver about taking over once Stern steps down. 

"The opportunities for this league are limitless," Silver said, according to ESPN.  "I'm honored, thrilled and will do my absolute best to grow this league or try to do it the way David has done over the last 20 years.  To the NBA family, I look forward to serving you."

Reach Executive Producer Michael Juliani here.