Former NBA commissioner David Stern is in serious condition after surgery for a brain hemorrhage

• The 77-year-old David Stern suffered the brain hemorrhage last week, the NBA says.
• Stern was the league's longest-tenured commissioner.

David Stern, commissioner emeritus of the National Basketball Association (NBA), smiles during a Bloomberg Television interview at the annual Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., on Tuesday, May 3, 2016.

Patrick T. Fallon | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Former NBA Commissioner David Stern was in serious condition following an emergency surgery to treat a sudden brain hemorrhage, the league said Tuesday.

The 77-year-old Stern suffered the hemorrhage on Thursday, the NBA said.

"He is receiving great care and surrounded by his loved ones," the league said in a statement. "The Stern family and everyone at the NBA appreciate the incredible outpouring of support. Our thoughts and prayers remain with David and his family." 

Stern, the NBA's commissioner for 30 years, was succeeded by Adam Silver in 2014.

During his tenure as the longest-serving commissioner, Stern oversaw the expansion of the league into a globally televised powerhouse. The NBA added seven franchises and created the WNBA and NBA developmental league under his leadership.

— The Associated Press contributed to this report.