LA Clippers Owner Donald Sterling Banned from the NBA for Life

I have to give it to newly appointed NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, he didn’t play around, or waste any time rendering his decision on racist LA Clipper owner Donald Sterling this afternoon. The hammer came down hard for the comments Donald Sterling made about not wanting African Americans at his basketball games; a lifetime ban from the NBA, and he must pay a 2.5 Million dollar fine!

Huffingtonpost:

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced a lifetime ban from the NBA for the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers after he was recorded making a series of racist comments that sparked a controversy that transcended the sports world. Silver, in his first season as league commissioner, apologized on behalf of the NBA for the offensive comments made by Sterling. He also revealed his intent to force Sterling to eventually sell the franchise.

“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.”

The longtime owner of the Clippers was caught making racist comments in audio recordings obtained by TMZ and Deadspin. In the recorded conversations, Sterling could be heard telling a woman, V. Stiviano, not to bring black friends to Clippers game or to post photos of herself with black people, including NBA legend Magic Johnson, on her Instagram account. The first recording was released over the weekend and Silver promised on Saturday that the NBA would “move extraordinarily quickly” in investigating the comments.

On Tuesday, Silver announced the following sanctions for Sterling:

• Sterling is banned for life from the NBA.

• Sterling will pay a fine of $2.5 million.

• Silver will attempt to force Sterling to sell the Clippers.