Sterling Banned For Life From NBA

Kharissa Forte |

Earlier this week, an audio-clip was released to TMZ of LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling making racists remarks concerning black people.
Some of his comments included him telling his half-black, half-Mexican girlfriend not to bring black people to his games.

He also demonstrated a slave-owner mentality on the recording when after being reminded that his whole team is black, Sterling replied, “I support them and give them food and clothes and cars and houses.”
After an investigation proved the voice on the recording to factually be that of Sterling’s, NBA Commissioner Adam Silvers held a press release today that opened with an apology to the fans, players and participants of the NBA.
“To them and pioneers of the game like Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper, [Nathaniel] ‘Sweetwater’ Clifton, the great Bill Russell and particularly Magic Johnson, I apologize,” Silvers said.
Silvers then went on to reveal Sterling’s fate:
“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.
He will also be barred from attending NBA Board of Governors meetings or participating in any other league activity.
I am also fining Mr. Sterling $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the NBA constitution. These funds will be donated to organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts that will be jointly selected by the NBA and its Players Association.
As for Mr. Sterling’s ownership interest in the Clippers, I will urge the Board of Governors to exercise its authority to force a sale of the team and will do everything in my power to ensure that that happens.”