Banned for life. And the NBA will try to make Donald Sterling sell the Los Angeles Clippers.
Can’t have a much harsher penalty than that, eh?
As I was await the inevitable response from the Clippers organization, I fully expected owner Donald Sterling to go to court and sue the NBA, probably asking for a temporary restraining order that would allow him to continue operating the team — and attending their games.
But when the Clippers released a statement, it was of the curious variety: “We wholeheartedly support and embrace the decision by the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver today. Now the healing process begins.”
So for now, the man of the hour is Silver, who came down forcefully in the first test of his leadership since taking over the post from David Stern in February.
Here is the NBA’s news release on Silver’s punishment of Sterling:
NEW YORK, April 29, 2014 – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has banned Donald Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers or the NBA, it was announced today at a press conference in Manhattan.
Commissioner Silver has also fined Mr. Sterling $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the NBA Constitution. The fine money will be donated to organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts that will be jointly selected by the NBA and the Players Association.
As part of the lifetime ban, Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. He will also be barred from attending NBA Board of Governors meetings and participating in any other league activity.
Commissioner Silver also announced that he will urge the Board of Governors to exercise its authority to force a sale of the team.
The discipline issued today is based on the Commissioner’s conclusion that Mr. Sterling violated league rules through his expressions of offensive and hurtful views, the impact of which has been widely felt throughout the league.