Adam Silver, who took over for the retired David Stern in February, and has carried the title of “NBA commissioner” for all of an entire 88 days, undeniably passed his first big test on the job with flying colors Tuesday, taking swift, firm action against Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling just three days after a recording of him allegedly making racist comments was released.
Silver dropped the hammer on Sterling with the harshest punishment he possibly could, hitting him with a $2.5 million fine (maximum fine allowed under NBA constitution), and perhaps more importantly, banning him from having any association with the Clippers or the NBA for life. Silver also indicated that he would strongly urge the NBA Board of Governors to force a sale of the team, which can be done if 23 of the remaining 29 team owners vote to remove Sterling as owner.
Under his lifetime ban, Sterling cannot attend any NBA games, practices, league meetings, or be present at any Clippers facilities. He is also not allowed to be involved an any personnel decisions or team operations for the Clippers.
“The central findings of the investigation are that the man whose voice is 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,” Silver said at a news conference on Tuesday.
“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 multi-cultural and multi-ethnic league.”
“Accordingly, effective immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life, from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA,” Silver also said. “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.”
“As for Mr. Sterling’s ownership interest in the Clippers, I will urge the board of governors to force a sale of the team and will do everything in my power to ensure that happens.”
Several NBA owners and players have released statements supporting Silver’s decision, and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) vice president Roger Mason Jr. even said that NBA players were prepared to boycott Tuesday’s playoff games had Sterling not been banned
“I heard from our players and all of our players felt like boycotting the games tonight,” Mason said. “We’re talking about all NBA players. We’re talking about the playoff games tonight.”
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