bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

The NBA banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life and fined him the maximum US$2.5 million for “deeply offensive and harmful” racist comments that sparked a national firestorm.
Three days after a recording surfaced of Sterling urging his girlfriend not to publicly associate with blacks, NBA commissioner Adam Silver removed the 80-year-old billionaire from the league and urged owners to start the process of forcing him to sell the team he bought in 1981.
Watch: NBA: Sterling banned for life over race comments

The surprisingly tough sanctions earned swift praise from across basketball, with current and former stars lauding Silver’s decisive action on his 88th day in the job since replacing 30-year NBA boss David Stern.
“The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful,” Silver told a news conference in New York. “That they came from an NBA owner only heightens the damage and my personal outrage.”

The stiff punishment following a lightning-fast investigation means real estate tycoon Sterling cannot attend any National Basketball Association games or workouts, appear at any Clippers office or facility, or make any business or personnel decisions for the club.
Silver said he will urge NBA owners to strip the team from Sterling. The market value of the team Sterling bought for US$12 million is expected to approach US$600 million.

“I fully expect to get the support I need from fellow NBA owners to remove him,” Silver said.


		https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/461210686786654208



		https://twitter.com/mcuban/status/461208183965351937



		https://twitter.com/KingJames/status/461214230545715200

 
A three-quarters vote of owners is needed, but Silver starting the process could be enough to prod Sterling to sell to avoid the risk of him not having the Clippers to sell for a huge profit. A lengthy court fight however is also possible.
“I spoke to several owners and I have their full support,” Silver said.

In the recording made public over the weekend, the man now confirmed to be Sterling told his much-younger girlfriend that he didn’t want her associating with black people or attending Clippers games with black friends.
Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames.

	 
The announcement came only hours before the Clippers, who saw sponsors leave in droves, were set to play their first home game since the controversy erupted.
“My message to the Clippers’ fans is that the league is far bigger than any one owner,” Silver said. “The players deserve their support. They have just been through an incredibly difficult incident.”
“We wholeheartedly support and embrace the decision by the NBA and commissioner Adam Silver today. Now the healing process begins,” the Clippers said in a statement.

The front page of the Clippers’ website was changed to a black screen with a team logo and white lettering saying, “WE ARE ONE.”
NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, whose photo with Sterling’s girlfriend prompted the tirade that led to the owner’s banishment, tweeted, “Former and current NBA players are very happy and satisfied with Commissioner Silver’s ruling... we have a great leader leading our league.”
Kevin Johnson, a former NBA standout acting for the players union in place of Clippers player and union president Chris Paul, said it was a defining moment in NBA history.
“I believe that today stands as one of those great moments where sports, once again, transcends, where sports provides a place for fundamental change on how our country should think and act,” Johnson said.
Silver’s few critics wondered how Sterling was tolerated so long by owners, given past court cases against him over questions of race, but Silver noted that in each instance, Sterling won the legal fight.
And Silver asked sponsors who cut ties with the Clippers to “judge us by our response to this incident.
“I’m hopeful there will be no long-term damage to the league or the Clippers. But I’m outraged so I certainly understand other people’s outrage. It will take some time and appropriate healing will be necessary.”
NBA bans Donald Sterling 



Racist Clippers owner Donald Sterling banned for life by NBA

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announces the ban. Photo: AFP

Billionaire Donald Sterling may be forced to sell his team - but will likely make a $588m profit. Photo: AFP

Filmmaker Spike Lee, a famous Knicks fan, watches as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addresses the news conference. Photo: AP

Demonstrators hold up signs in front of Staples Center demanding the sale of the Los Angeles Clippers. Photo: USA Today Sports

Standing next to a statue of Magic Johnson, Clyde Davis holds up a sign protesting Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Photo: Los Angeles Times / MCT

Sport

Other Sport

Billionaire fined US$2.5m and may be forced to sell team after telling girlfriend 'not to bring blacks' to his games


Racist Clippers owner Donald Sterling banned for life by NBA

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Billionaire fined US$2.5m and may be forced to sell team after telling girlfriend 'not to bring blacks' to his games

Billionaire fined US$2.5m and may be forced to sell team after telling girlfriend 'not to bring blacks' to his games