NBA Bans Clippers Owner Donald Sterling For Life

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Published

April 30, 2014

NBA commissioner and striking live action Wallace lookalike Adam Silver has issued a $2.5 million fine (the maximum allowed by league law) and a lifetime ban on LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling for hateful comments made in a taped conversation leaked to TMZ and Deadspin last week.

Mr. Silver held a press conference in New York City today following an internal investigation to properly authenticate the taped conversation alleged to have taken place between Mr. Sterling and his then girlfriend, V. Stiviano.

According to the league, the voice heard to have uttered repugnant racist comments including “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people,” and “But why publicise it on the Instagram and why bring it to my games?” was in fact Sterling’s.

“Effective immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA,” Silver said. “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 involving the team. He will also be barred from attending NBA Board of Governors meetings or participating in any other league activity.”

Further, the league will take the steps required to force Sterling to sell the team ~~then relocate it to Seattle~~.

“I will urge the Board of Governors to exercise its authority to force the sale of the team,” Silver said. “I will do everything in my power to ensure that that happens…I fully expect to get the support I need from the other NBA owners.”

At this stage, Silver has the support of everyone.

Commissioner Silver thank you for protecting our beautiful and powerful league!! Great leader!! #BiggerThanBasketball #StriveForGreatness

— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 29, 2014

Bravo Silver

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 29, 2014

‘Standing ovation’ for Commissioner Silver. Big time decision standing up for the league and it’s players. Now, Gotta see it through

— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) April 29, 2014

Former and current NBA players are very happy and satisfied with Commissioner Silver’s ruling.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 29, 2014

Way to go, Commissioner Silver! The NBA stands for everybody!

— SHAQ (@SHAQ) April 29, 2014

I agree 100% with Commissioner Silvers findings and the actions taken against Donald Sterling

— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) April 29, 2014

Previously, a unified Clippers roster staged a protest against their owner by wearing their warmup t-shirts inside out, obscuring the Clippers logo, before the opening tip of game four of the Clippers’ first round matchup against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland this week.