BY BEN GOLLIVER
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has imposed a lifetime suspension and a $2.5 million fine to Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who was caught on tape making a series of racist remarks that became public on Friday.
After promising to grant “due process” to Sterling and to investigate the authenticity of the audio during a press conference in Memphis on Saturday, Silver handed down the punishment at a press conference in New York City on Tuesday.
“Effective immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA,” Silver said. “Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices. He may not be present at any Clippers facility. He may not participate in any business or player personnel decisions. … He will also be barred from attending Board of Governors meetings.”
Silver also apologized on behalf of the NBA for Sterling’s comments.
TMZ released audio of a conversation in which Sterling can be heard scolding V. Stiviano, his girlfriend, for bringing African-Americans to Clippers games and for posting photos of herself and African-Americans, including Lakers legend Magic Johnson, to her Instagram account.
Silver said the NBA was able to authenticate that it was Sterling’s voice on the tape. In a statement issued Saturday, Clippers president Andy Roeser had questioned the legitimacy of the recording.
Prior to Wednesday’s press conference, at least 16 NBA owners had issued public statements against Sterling.
Late Tuesday night, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, speaking as an adviser for the National Basketball Players Association, called on Silver to suspend Sterling and assess the maximum fine allowed.
United States president Barack Obama, NBA legends Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA stars LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, and NBPA representatives Chris Paul and Kevin Johnson have all expressed their opposition to Sterling, and the Clippers, Heat, Rockets and Blazers all participated in silent protests against Sterling by wearing their warm-up shirts inside out or donning black socks during their recent playoff games. Multiple companies announced Monday that they would suspend their corporate sponsorship agreements with the Clippers, and coach Doc Rivers said that he won’t necessarily return to the club next season, even though he is under contract. Even Sterling’s wife, Rochelle, distanced herself from the comments.
The Clippers will host the Warriors at the Staples Center on Tuesday night.
Story courtesy of nba.si.com