Milwaukee Bucks Owner Herb Kohl:
We denounce the offensive, racist comments made by Mr. Sterling, and we stand with the actions Commissioner Silver has taken against him.”
Minnesota Timberwolves Owner Glen Taylor:
The Timberwolves stand firmly in full support of the swift and impactful action taken today by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. His leadership and direction in this matter is completely appropriate and appreciated by the Timberwolves organization. We stand unified with Commissioner Silver today and reaffirm our organization’s zero tolerance approach to the type of reprehensible behavior which caused this action.”
New Orleans Pelicans Owner Tom Benson:
In light of the serious matter facing our league, a matter that transcends sports, the New Orleans Pelicans fully support the decisions made today by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and will fully support his recommendations moving forward.
New York Knicks Owner James Dolan:
I have been in touch with the NBA and fully support Commissioner Silver’s decision. I applaud Adam for acting quickly and decisively in appropriately addressing these disgusting and offensive comments. This kind of behavior has no place in basketball, or anywhere else, and we as a league must stand together in condemning this ignorance.”
Oklahoma City Thunder Owner Clay Bennett:
The Oklahoma City Thunder strongly supports the decisive action taken today by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Ours is a league of inclusion, tolerance and fairness. The Thunder organization will continue to work to foster the tenets of diversity and respect, and build on that standard moving forward.”
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.”
Philadelphia 76ers Managing Owner Josh Harris:
The Philadelphia 76ers completely support NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. As I have previously stated, there is no place for any type of discrimination in our society, and those hurtful and ignorant comments are contrary to the core values and beliefs of our ownership group and organization.”
Phoenix Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver:
I applaud the actions taken today by Commissioner Silver in response to the disturbing comments made by Donald Sterling. Commissioner Silver’s decision upholds the principles of diversity, tolerance and respect for all people that the NBA and Phoenix Suns represent. The Commissioner has my full support.”
Portland Trail Blazers Owner Paul Allen:
I completely support NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s decisive action on the Sterling issue. Great leadership and the league is in good hands.
— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) April 29, 2014
Sacramento Kings Majority Owner Vivek Ranadive:
Great leadership today from @NBA Adam Silver. Very clear message about who we are as a league & where we’re going. #NBA3.0 #secondthemotion
— Vivek Ranadivé (@Vivek) April 29, 2014
Kings Minority Owner Shaquille O’Neal:
Way to go, Commissioner Silver! The NBA stands for everybody!
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) April 29, 2014
San Antonio Spurs Owner Peter Holt:
The NBA is built upon equality and diversity. There is no room for racism or bigotry in our league. All of us at Spurs Sports & Entertainment fully support the decision made today by Commissioner Silver.”
Spurs Minority Owner David Robinson:
Strong leadership from Commissioner Silver! He has my full support. — David Robinson (@DavidtheAdmiral) April 29, 2014
Toronto Raptors Ownership Group, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment:
As a proud member of the National Basketball Association, we stand strongly in our belief that the comments attributed to Mr. Sterling have no place in our society or sport. Our organization will always work to contribute to a culture of diversity and acceptance in this league and fully support the actions taken today. We thank Commissioner Adam Silver, and all of the NBA players, for their leadership on this important issue.”
On behalf of the Miller family, we support the decisive action by Commissioner Silver and the NBA to reaffirm that there is no place for racism and hatred in our league. The Jazz organization and all the teams in the NBA should act as national leaders in promoting inclusiveness and diversity. We have a responsibility in our communities to fight against discrimination and ignorance and showcase sports as an example of respect and tolerance. While this situation has been inexcusable, I hope it serves the greater purpose of reinforcing our vigilance against this type of behavior.”
The Miller family supports the action by Commissioner Silver and the NBA. There is no place for racism and hatred in our league. — Greg Miller (@GregInUtah) April 29, 2014
Washington Wizards Owner Ted Leonsis:
Monumental Sports & Entertainment has a diverse ownership group, and we respect and value that diversity. Our group applauds the swift, strict actions and recommendations set forth today by NBA commissioner Adam Silver. Commissioner Silver is taking a strong stance, but all of us need to play a role as we strive to eliminate discrimination and intolerance.”
We have a diverse ownership group @MSE and respect and value that diversity. We applaud today’s actions by @NBA Adam Sliver.
— Ted Leonsis (@TedLeonsis) April 29, 2014
Most of the owners state that they support Commissioner Silver’s actions and offer their support, but what exactly does that mean? Only a few expressed, specifically, that they support his future recommendations (which can only refer to voting for the Clippers’ sale).
It doesn’t necessarily mean change, as they may simply be stating that they support the punishment already levied—the lifetime ban and fine.
And, if it does?
Should the league owners vote to remove Sterling from ownership, they won’t have to look far for a replacement. Media mogul David Geffen, whose net worth is upwards of $6.2 billion, told Forbes that he “would very much like to buy the team.”
Geffen first attempted to buy the team in 2010 with an offer said to be around $700M. However, Sterling refused to sell.
Perhaps, had the league and national media had as much outrage back in 2003—or even in 2009—over racial discrimination among Sterling’s business practices in the housing industry, Geffen, Magic Johnson (and, perhaps, the Guggenheim Partners) or some other wealthy magnate may have already been established as the new Clippers owner.
Unfortunately, there seems to be little outrage over the negative actions taken against the hard-working minorities in our nation when compared to the words said against the wealthy ones.
Charles Barkley voiced as much in concern during Tuesday night’s Washington Wizards’ and Chicago Bulls’ Game 5 halftime show.
It’d be great to see other people in positions of power and influence do the same, though actions speak far louder than words.
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Michael Brumagin writes the Tweet of the Day for SheridanHoops.com and is also a correspondent for BleacherReport.com. Follow @mbrumagin