For long-suffering Clippers fans sick of Sterling's miserly ways, off-the-court controversies, and egomaniacal full-page newspaper ads, the announcement was a celebratory event that brought a sigh of relief to the city.
As part of the lifetime ban, 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.
Silver also fined Sterling $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the NBA Constitution.
The discipline issued today is based on the Commissioner’s conclusion that Sterling violated league rules through his expressions of offensive and hurtful views, the impact of which has been widely felt throughout the league with loss of sponsorships and damage to reputation.
Commissioner Silver also announced that he will urge the Board of Governors to exercise its authority to force a sale of the team.
If a 3/4 majority of the owners agree to boot out Sterling, there won't be any shortage of buyers for the franchise.
Boxer Floyd Mayweather, recently named the highest paid athlete in sports, commented in passing at a pre-fight press event in Las Vegas this week that he might be interested in owning the team, but acknowledged he would have to stop his gambling hobby first.
NBA legend and current LA Dodgers owner Magic Johnson could be another potential buyer. More importantly, he has the financial backing to complete the purchase.
Today another local sports hero also put his hat into the ownership ring, as boxing great and Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya made it known that he would like to own a piece of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers franchise.
"The league has made it known that it wants more minorities involved, and as a proud Mexican-American, I will bring a different perspective to the NBA in general, and the Clippers in particular," said De La Hoya. "I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I know what it takes to run a successful sports entity and nothing would make me happier than to bring an NBA Championship home to Southern California sports fans."
A 1992 U.S. Olympic Gold medalist, East LA's De La Hoya went on to a storied professional boxing career that earned him a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame's Class of 2014. In addition, De La Hoya built Golden Boy Promotions into one of boxing's premier promotional company.
Continued, De La Hoya, "I applaud NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for his quick and decisive action regarding in the Donald Sterling situation, and his forward thinking will push the league toward a positive future. There is no room for racism and unfair treatment in any professional sport, or in life in general. I hope to be a part of positive change for the league."
Below is a verbatim transcript of Silver's announcement:
Shortly after the release of an audio recording this past Saturday morning of a conversation 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 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.
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 matters of race relations and caused current and former 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 Clifton, 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.
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. This has been a painful moment for all members of the NBA family. I appreciate the support and understanding of our players during this process, and I am particularly grateful for the leadership shown by Coach Doc Rivers, Union President Chris Paul and Mayor Kevin Johnson of Sacramento, who has been acting as the players' representative in this matter.
We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling's views. They simply have no place in the NBA.
By Staff of the TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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