Donald Sterling Banned For Life From NBA, Fined $2.5 Million
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Donald Sterling is gone and he isn't coming back to his courtside seat at Staples Center.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced a lifetime suspension and a $2.5 million fine for the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday during a press conference that will be remembered as a landmark moment in league history. The punishment was levied just days after audio recordings of Sterling making racist comments were released by TMZ andDeadspin.
"Effective immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA," Silver said during a press conference in New York on Tuesday afternoon. "Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices. He may not be present at any Clippers facility. He may not participate in any business or player personnel decisions."
In the recorded conversations that even garnered a rebuke from President Barack Obama, Sterling could be heard telling a woman, V. Stiviano, not to bring black friends to Clippers games or to post photos of herself with black people, including NBA legend Magic Johnson, on her Instagram account.
"We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling's views," Silver said. "They simply have no place in the NBA."
In addition to announcing the permanent suspension from the NBA and the fine, Silver made it clear that he will urge the league's Board of Governors to exercise its authority to force Sterling to sell the team. The fine levied against Sterling, worth approximately $1.9 billion according to Forbes, will be donated to organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts.
"I fully expect to get the support I need from the owners to remove him," Silver said.
A day before Silver announced the findings of the NBA investigation and the punishments, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban expressed reservations about forcing out Sterling, fearing it could start the league down a "slippery slope." If a vote is eventually taken among owners, Silver will need 75 percent of them on his side to finally force Sterling to sell the team. Following the press conference on Tuesday, Cuban seemed to be ready to go along with the NBA Commissioner.
The initial reaction of the league's players on social was also overwhelmingly positive, with LeBron James leading the cheers for Silver on Twitter.
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