Jessica Hill/Associated Press

Former NBA Commissioner David Stern became the longest-serving commissioner in professional sports when he held the position for 30 years (1984-2014), but he could have his eye on a new career move in the near future.

Richard Johnson of the New York Post noted that friends are “urging” Stern “to run for mayor in 2017, now that Mayor [Bill] de Blasio is looking less likely to be re-elected to a second term.”

Stern is a native New Yorker, an associate at the Council on Foreign Relations and a lifelong Democrat who “has regularly contributed to the party,” according to Johnson. One source said, per Johnson, that Stern is "pretty bored."

"He’s always been interested in politics, and he’s always been interested in running for office,” the source said.

While that may be the case, Johnson added that Stern is not interested in running. Stern himself said, “I remain a happy Westchester resident and am very busy as a senior adviser to a number of enterprises.”

During his tenure as NBA commissioner, Stern turned the league into a global force and significantly increased its popularity behind a list of star players that included Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and LeBron James.

Zach Harper of CBS Sports highlighted Stern’s many accomplishments as commissioner of the NBA, including the fact that he instituted the lottery system for the draft, expanded the league with the additions of the Charlotte Hornets, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, then-Vancouver Grizzlies and then-Charlotte Bobcats and helped form USA Basketball.

Under Stern’s watch, the NBA also helped form the WNBA, started the NBA Development League and continuously expanded the league’s cable and broadcasting rights, which brought billions of dollars to the league.

What’s more, Stern’s NBA teamed up with FIBA for the Basketball Without Borders program and constantly reached out to markets outside the United States with exhibitions and advertising efforts.

Dan Feldman of Pro Basketball Talk discussed how Stern's overall NBA legacy would potentially translate to politics:

The NBA grew tremendously under his watch. How much of that can be directly attributed to him is a more complex question. Some, certainly. A lot, probably. Stern was lucky enough to take over as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird blossomed and the world shrunk. But Stern adeptly maximized the available marketing opportunities, turning the NBA into a global force. Growing a private business is obviously not the same as running a city. Stern’s experience could translate, though.

It is hard to argue with the progress the NBA made under Stern’s direction. While Stern himself said he is not interested in running for mayor at this time, it is not a stretch to say the skills he demonstrated when he expanded the game globally and negotiated financial matters would be directly applicable to public office.