NBA Commissioner David Stern today announced that Russ Granik will be stepping down as NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO at the conclusion of the 2005-06 season, after a 30-year career in the league office, the last 22 as the second-in-command.  The announcement was made in conjunction with the annual meeting of the NBA Board of Governors, taking place October 25 and 26 in New York City.

After this season, Granik will serve as a senior advisor to the Commissioner and continue to be the league's principal representative with USA Basketball and Chairman of the Board of the Basketball Hall of Fame.

"Russ and I have worked together on a daily basis for 29 years, and everyone in the NBA family is well aware of the enormity of his contributions to the success and growth of the league during that time. For over two decades, Russ has been responsible for the day-to-day operation of the league,"? said Stern.  "Among his many contributions, Russ was the NBA."