Emancipation: LA Clippers Freed From Sterling

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver sent a strong message to bigots by banning Los Angeles Clippers owner, Donald Sterling for life and slapping him with a $2.5 million fine Tuesday, after the octogenarian was caught on a recording making racist comments about Blacks.

“Effective immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at a news conference in New York.

The life time ban means that Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices nor be present at any Clippers facility. Also, he will not be able to participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. Many speculate that, the life time ban would likely force Sterling to sell the Clippers franchise, earning him a hefty profit.

According to news reports, NBA players and officials, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Steve Nash, and Players Association president Kevin Johnson — applauded the NBA’s decision.

The Orlando Magic issued the following statement:

“The Orlando Magic feel the recent reprehensible comments by Donald Sterling were absolutely unacceptable and do not reflect the values and beliefs of our organization or our league.  We applaud the leadership of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, as well as Head Coach Doc Rivers and his players, who are at the epicenter of the situation.”

See the full text of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s statement below: 

“Shortly after the release of an audio recording the past Saturday morning that allegedly included Clippers owner Donald Sterling, the NBA commenced an investigation, which among other things included an interview of Mr. Sterling. That investigation is now complete.

The central findings of the investigation are that the man whose voice heard on the recording, and on a second recording from the same conversation that was released on Sunday, is Mr. Sterling, and that the hateful opinions voiced by that man are those of Mr. Sterling.

The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. That they came from an NBA owner only heightens the damage and my personal outrage. Sentiments of this kind are contrary to the principles of inclusion and respect that form the foundation of our diverse, multicultural, and multiethnic league.

I am personally distraught that the views expressed by Mr. Sterling came from within an institution that has historically taken such a leadership role in matter of race relations and cause former and current players, coaches, fans, and partners of the NBA to question their very association with the league.

To them, and pioneers of the game like Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper, “Sweetwater” Cliffton, the great Bill Russell, and particularly Magic Johnson, I apologize.

Accordingly, effective immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA. Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, he may not be present at any Clippers facility, and he may not participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team.”