BREAKING: Sterling Banned For Life By NBA (Fined $2.5 Million)

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

@BreakingNews: NBA announces Clippers owner Donald Sterling banned for life, fined $2.5 million for recorded remarks - live video http://t.co/cenGvc7fDP

STERLING BANNED FOR LIFE BY THE NBA

Apr. 29, 2014 2:24 PM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been banned for life by the NBA in response to racist comments the league says he made in a recorded conversation.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also says he will try to force a sale of the Clippers and also fined Sterling $2.5 million.

Silver called Sterling's comments and views "deeply offensive and harmful."

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/sterling-banned-life-nba

[BumRushDaShow]

1. Watched it live.

The fine is a drop in the bucket for him though.

[calimary]

2. No kidding. He's a BILLIONAIRE.

But if there's no $$$ penalty involved, it won't mean squat. Even though this "fine" actually kinda does mean squat, compared to what he's worth.

Unfortunately it seems to me these rich assholes need to be HURT. And hurt much worse than a trifling two-point-five million dollars in fines. It'd be MURDER to somebody like me. But to him, it's like a mosquito bite. A shame there's nothing really hurtful and TRULY punitive that can be done. He'll just go buy something else important and sit there in glory in that particular arena, I suppose.

[lebkuchen]

7. It's the most that Sterling could be fined. That law should change.

[LiberalFighter]

132. I don't think it is a law that applies.

It is within the NBA's constitution or bylaws that specifies what can or can't happen.

[olddad56]

11. too bad that they can't force him to live in Compton,

and commute 40 miles a day each way to a job at a Burger King.

[SaltyBro]

15. What is that supposed to mean?

[lebkuchen]

22. How do I give your reply a thumbs up?

[olddad56]

29. that means he should be forced to live the life of a low income person for a while.

[SaltyBro]

35. So everyone in Compton is low income?

Sounds like something Paul Ryan would say.

[olddad56]

75. no, Donald Sterling would fit right in.

Sorry if I offended you.

[nyabingi]

84. I think this person was trying to say

some "thuggish" brothers from Compton (because we all know everyone in Compton wears blue or red and breaks the law daily) would necessarily take out some anger on Sterling.

This kind of offensive offhand remark reminds me of the racist Billy Joel song in which he sings "I walked through Bedford-Stuy alone" - as if a white guy walking alone through a predominantly Black neighborhood is in any more danger than a Black guy walking alone through an affluent white neighborhood.

[olddad56]

98. no, if you had read the entire comment, that isn't what I was trying to say.

I was trying to say that, for a punishment, this billionaire should be forced to life in a town that he wouldn't feel comfortable in, Compton just came to mind, sorry for choosing Compton, and be forced to make a long freeway commute each day to a low paying job. You know, sort of force him to live in a way that is, unfortunately, reality for so many people.

[pscot]

162. There's a lot of Umbrage with intent

around here.

[lebkuchen]

38. I was hoping he would have to give up a quarter of his worth

about $500 million, but was stunned that $2.5 million was the highest penalty by law. What a ridiculous amount. That has to change.

[Democracyinkind]

67. Completely off topic, but

Dein Name macht mich hungrig.

[lebkuchen]

80. Ich bin eine

suessigkeit!

[Democracyinkind]

107. Munchie time. Thanks for the inspiration ;)

[LiberalFighter]

135. The law does not apply in this matter.

If it did the penalty would not had been levied so quickly.

[HooptieWagon]

158. Its not a law.

Its the most he can be fined under NBA Bylaws. This is an action taken by a club against one of its members. No legal (as in courtroom ) application.

[tammywammy]

160. The fine isn't capped by law, it's part of the NBA bylaws. n/t

[George II]

106. I think everyone knows what that was supposed to mean, and....

....should know that it wasn't intended to be, nor was it a racist comment.

[Nine]

116. +1

[Curmudgeoness]

144. Don't worry, most are not seeing racism in your post.......

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Racist stereotyping of an entire community

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Tue Apr 29, 2014, 06:04 PM, and the Jury voted 1-6 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: I see this as a comment about the plight of low wage workers trying to survive, and how it would be fitting for him to have to live that life. Stop reading more than is here.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: This is an inflammatory topic anyway. There will be inflammatory posts. I don't think he meant any insult against Compton but that he wished Sterling would have to suffer discrimination and poverty in a land of poor minorities.
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: You really have dig deep and laboriously and exhaustively to suspect a possibility of an inference of possible racism in this post. C'mon DUers, the One-Percent are thattaway!
Juror #7 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given

[BumRushDaShow]

19. At least someone finally gave him some exit papers. nt

[big_dog]

31. don't mess with Adam Silver the Hebrew Hammer!

[lebkuchen]

65. Silver sent a strong message

I got it from across the pond; racism won't be tolerated in the NBA.

[3catwoman3]

82. i find my self humming...

..."Bang, band, Maxwell's silver hammer came down on his head."

Well done, Mr. Silver.

[Red1]

125. He will miss

the attention...the court side seat...his ego is on the rack

and the bylaws of the nba constitution say he can be forced out as owner....

In an unprecedented step, he also encouraged the NBA board of governors to vote to terminate Sterling's ownership — forcing him to sell the team. It would require a three-fourths majority vote to force a sale. Silver says those proceedings will start as soon as possible.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/nba-announces-donald-sterling-penalty-2014-4#ixzz30JHRlQln

when these dudes acquire an nba team they are obliged to sign up to the rules...in court i believe he will not have legal leg to stand on...

we will see...

[zonkers]

148. Removing this from his life will kill him. I mean it.

I know they say only the good die young but you pull the carpet out from a dude like him at that age -- he is done. His family and those around him had to know this day would come.

[Hotler]

3. .......

[bluedigger]

4. Couldn't ask for much more than that.

Kudos to the NBA for (finally) doing the right thing.

[Supersedeas]

171. not enough

[lunasun]

5. He will make far more than that on the team sale . So don't worry about him!

[lebkuchen]

12. I don't think tar/feather was an option.

Sterling is out.

[lunasun]

30. Ha - Yes though some will say he has been "wronged " and his family suffered enough already blah bla

Punishment too extreme
Look$ like he will be just fine. ....even with the fine

[lebkuchen]

42. I'm sure he and his wife, who's trying to divorce him, will do just fine

in the world's Richie Rich social circles that don't include the NBA, since he's banned.

[olddad56]

77. don't think it is about the monetary punishment, it is about him being gone.

[olddad56]

6. banned from what? From owning the team, or from going to the games?

banned from the planet? Banned from having gold-digger girlfriends 50 years young than him ( he ought to ban himself from that one).

[lebkuchen]

9. Banned from anything having to do with the LA Clippers

to include the commissioner's strong urging for a forced sale of the team.

[olddad56]

13. thank you

[The Wielding Truth]

66. "may not attend any NBA games or practices,..." Plus

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver: Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald 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 decisions involving the team' - @CBSLA

[JudyM]

149. I don't get how he can be banned from attending any NBA games...

what will they do, throw him out for trespassing? I understand how the NBA can place constraints on his actions in his capacity as an owner or whatever, but do they have authority to determine whether private citizens can go to games?

[The Wielding Truth]

152. It's quoted from the statement made by the commissioner.

“Accordingly, effectively immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA,” said Silver during a press conference this afternoon. “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.”

Maybe it only applies to the Clippers but it may also apply to attendance at all NFL games as it says. I am not sure I'm just posting the quote.http://www.ringoffireradio.com/2014/04/clippers-owner-donald-sterling-gets-nbas-death-sentence/

[Auggie]

8. He's banned, but still owns the team?

What exactly constitutes a "ban" -- can't attend games or owners' meetings?

[lebkuchen]

10. can't even attend a game.

[Auggie]

83. Thanks

[Bryce Butler]

16. He cannot attend games/practices, owners' meetings, day-to-day business for the team, etc.

That's my understanding of it

[MADem]

156. He could sell it to his son for a dollah--I understand the son has been doing most

of the work, anyway.

Hard to know what they'll think of that apple -- did he roll far from the tree, I wonder?

[hue]

14. A slap on the hand! I hope there are more, many more repercusions!!

[lebkuchen]

18. the death penalty?

What's harsher than what has already been handed down?

[christx30]

52. He said something offensive

in a private conversation. Yeah, it was vile. But he lost $2 billion for a freakin' conversation. And he can't have anything to do with the team he owns. I think that's more than a slap on the hand.
I'd hate to have my private conversations subject to a huge fine if I say something offensive.

[QuestForSense]

92. You read my mind.

The reason racism is so slow to evolve is that it has to change one person at a time. No amount of outside pressure will ever change a person's beliefs. The last time I checked, you still have to do that all by yourself.

[postulater]

99. I haven't been paying much attention but who recorded and released the conversation? nt

[christx30]

105. It was his girlfriend.

She'd been hanging out with Magic Johnson and taking him to Clippers games. He said something like "don't bring black guys to the game" or something close to that.

"In your lousy f**ing Instagrams, you don't have to have yourself with -- walking with black people," the man says.

"I've known (Magic Johnson) well, and he should be admired. ... I'm just saying that it's too bad you can't admire him privately," the man on the recording says. "Admire him, bring him here, feed him, f**k him, but don't put (Magic) on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don't bring him to my games."

[postulater]

110. His girlfriend released it?

Yikes. Maybe not his girlfriend anymore.

[christx30]

113. I know I'd dump her

if she did that to me. But, yes. She released it to TMZ. Shitstorm ensues.

[postulater]

117. Good for her. She'll probably suffer more than he will from it.

She should stay out of small planes.

[rocktivity]

118. Privately said or not, what he said makes a mockery of the entire NBA

which was especially offensive because he was making so much money form it -- which isn't good for NBA business.


rocktivity

[christx30]

122. So if you are caught on

tape complaining to your spouse about policies or just the company in general, you can expect a fine and being fired. That gives us no expectation of privacy, even in private.

[LiberalFighter]

136. NBA owners have to abide by their rules.

They created the rules and for the rules that were in place before someone became an owner they agreed to them before hand.

[rocktivity]

164. If you agree to abide by the rules of conduct of a PRIVATE company

and you say things that make it difficult for them to stay in business, yes.


rocktivity

[Jack Rabbit]

124. I guess the lesson here is don't racist comments to your black/Hispanic girlfriend

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and all that.

[hue]

151. He was fined 2.5 million, a token amt.

Why should he have anything to do with the team since it is those with whom he has a history of racist verbiage and behaviors that are making money for him? In other words, Sterling is using the team to make $$ for him.

http://www.npr.org/2014/04/29/307825043/sterlings-tarnished-history-of-alleged-discrimination

Sterling's Tarnished History Of Alleged Discrimination

Sterling has faced countless accusations of housing discrimination over the years. The most egregious involved a lawsuit that ended in a $2.7 million settlement with the Justice Department in 2009. In that case, he was accused of discriminating against black and Latino tenants in the apartment buildings he owned.

Then there was the unsuccessful wrongful termination suit brought against Sterling by NBA Hall of Famer and former Clippers General Manager Elgin Baylor. He claimed Sterling once said he wanted a "white Southern coach coaching poor black players."

[Supersedeas]

169. The city facilities, the state road infrastructure, the banking system, etc...

All of these systems facilitate his ability to make money...exile from all of them makes sense, no?

To send a real message to this bigot more should be done.

[RobinA]

167. This Is A Bit

unsettling. I always get uncomfortable when people are sanctioned for their thoughts, no matter how disagreeable.

[Supersedeas]

170. Depends on the thought and the originator of that thought

[Raine1967]

17. I Watched a few minutes live, Fox News was there. Here is what the reporter asked:

Fox news reporter to Adma Silver: Hi, so and so from Fox news, the Kelly File: 'Do think it's right to force an owner to sell his team for saying something in private?' Are we headed down a slippery Slope?

Mr. Silver: What he said is no longer private. Next question.

[lebkuchen]

21. Change channels....CNNI was so much more interesting

Eric Garcetti, mayor of LA, was absolutely riveting.

[Raine1967]

24. This was on ESPN!

What a stupid leading question.

E! entertainment had more journalistic standards. I am not even joking.

[lebkuchen]

28. YOu didn't see Eric Garcetti on Amanpour? AMAZING!

I can't stand LA, I'm from there, and Garcetti has practically talked me into moving back!

[SaltyBro]

20. He should be prosecuted

We cannot let the 1 percenters get away with this.

[KeepItReal]

25. He won one discrimination suit (former employee) and settled the second (DOJ unfair housing)

There's nothing to prosecute him here for.

Unless adultery counts....

[SaltyBro]

37. The team could file a lawsuit against him

[former9thward]

157. He owns the team.

He is going to sue himself?

[bluedigger]

48. If there are laws against bigotry on the books, a large proportion of America is at risk.

Maybe there should be - the prison industrial complex could make a killing.

[SaltyBro]

49. I would support aggressive laws pertaining to hate speech

Something like some European nations have.

[groundloop]

72. Well, that ain't gonna' happen

The Supreme Court has ruled time and time again that even the most vile speech is protected.

I'm with you though, I wouldn't mind limits on what's considered protected speech, such as hatred and lies purported to be 'news'.

[Nye Bevan]

86. "Those stupid Christians believing in invisible sky monsters"

Would you want to give a deeply religious, right-wing evangelical elected DA in Alabama a weapon with which to criminally prosecute someone who said that or posted it on the internet?

[melm00se]

101. a law is fair when someone can use it against someone they disagree with

but completely unfair when the same law is used against someone with whom they agree.

[christx30]

104. Yup. The pendulum

will not always swing in our direction. Any weapons we use against that side WILL be used against our side at one point or another. We jail Klansman Sam in 2014 for saying the n-word in a speech. In 2016 they jail Agnostic Amy for saying something.
Laws like the ones proposed will further polarize our society for 50 years or more.

[groundloop]

140. I was thinking of Canada's Truth in Journalism law

Wouldn't it be wonderful for 'news' broadcasters to have to back up what they put on the air with facts?

[Tribalceltic]

147. I wish more was made of this

The fact that faux was allowed to get away with this speaks volumes. Wingnuts don't believe it happened.

[christx30]

173. But what others in this thread are

talking about are posts and speech. Laws against bigotry. Wanting to have laws to prosecute Sterling under for his racist comments.
But it can go the other way. How many people on DU say things against Christians? It could be interrepted as anti-Christian bigotry and subject to prosecution.

[Reter]

133. Yuck

In this country that will never happen. Good luck repealing the 1st Amendment.

[Codeine]

142. We don't work that way

and I hope to fuck we never do.

[Nye Bevan]

70. You don't appear to have a very good grasp of the First Amendment.

Are you not from the US?

[SaltyBro]

71. Not originally, no

[Nye Bevan]

81. "Hate speech" laws would be immediately struck down as unconstitutional here.

The only type of "hate speech" which the courts have ruled can be punished is "fighting words", that is, speech likely to incite an immediate crime.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_words

While "hate speech" laws may sound superficially attractive to some, bear in mind that under such a law plenty of DUers would face prosecution for their posts about Catholics, evangelical Christians, and Mormons.

[secondvariety]

115. Interesting.

I'd never heard of the "Fighting Words" provision. I was having a conversation with a co-worker on freedom of speech and he was pretty adamant about the legality of saying whatever to whomever without any repercussions. I agreed that he could say whatever he wanted but sometimes there ARE repercussions. I told him that calling my mother a whore would bring a whole bunch of repercussions.

[dixiegrrrrl]

126. DU has terms of use policy against hate speech.

and now that all alerts are seen by Admin. being kicked off DU can happen for such speech.

"Fighting words" would be included, I should think.

[RobinA]

168. Prosecuted

for...um...speech?

[greatauntoftriplets]

23. I hope that the door hits him on the ass.

Good going, NBA!

[lebkuchen]

26. He'll always have his wife

who he's fled to in the crisis.

[Jefferson23]

27. Publically disgraced...that is the key here.

[lebkuchen]

32. You rock.

My life is very simple compared to the mess this buffoon has created for himself.

[Jefferson23]

47. His wealth we know is tremendous, he can easily afford the fine, right?

However, he does not have enough money to buy respect any longer.

[lebkuchen]

56. ...and how do you put a price on your self-respect?

I'd like to see fines for the multi-rich higher than their equivalent of pocket change.

[Jefferson23]

60. That would be fine with me too but I am more than satisfied this man has been

disgraced, fully and out in the open.

[lebkuchen]

68. well

the NAACP has had to take a second look at him, for sure.

[Jefferson23]

74. That is another story and not exclusive to the NAACP. Organizations have taken money

from less than desirable people before, and why I said earlier that this creeps fine,
no matter how low/high is not important. He can't buy respect any longer, he has
been publicly condemned...much more powerful than any fine in my opinion.

[lebkuchen]

85. Especially after Silver and Garcetti were through with him. Ouch!

http://amanpour.blogs.cnn.com/2014/04/29/first-on-cnn-la-mayor-applauds-nba-decision-on-clippers-owner/

[Jefferson23]

87. Yep

[ChazII]

130. Some how I don't think

we will here much more about or from the NAACP regarding this topic.

[gussmith]

33. Haven't We become Politically Correct

The guy is a schnook. So we are going to control speech while all the money is the world is allowed to speak per the supreme court. Fines yes, telling us how to speak, no.

[Hissyspit]

34. No.

This is about NBA's ad revenue as much as anything.

[Jefferson23]

39. What about free speech allows for no consequences when your speech is riddled with racism and

made public?

[bluedigger]

50. The government has done nothing to him.

Know what the First Amendment is about, maybe.

[Ash_F]

55. Who's we?

The NBA doesn't want him around and have broken no laws in banning him.

It is their right.

[LynneSin]

94. Free speech is a two-way street. He is welcome to say anything he likes....

and the NBA has just as equal right to say anything they like in reaction to what he has said.

And in the end the other 29 owners will also use their freedom of speech either to defend Sterling or stand with the NBA. And from what I read all 29 owners and their players are with the NBA.

That my friend, is how free speech works.

[Aristus]

97. Careful.

About the only people who complain about 'political correctness' anymore are those who are upset that they can't use the word n****r without suffering justified social sanctions.

[Jamaal510]

163. That's the impression

I get, too. It raises a huge red flag when I hear people whine about PC.

[groundloop]

102. Also, I'd bet there's a clause in his contract with the NBA about not embarrassing the league

As others before me have pointed out this action was not taken by the government but by a business (NBA) against a franchise owner. I'd be willing to bet all kinds of money that each and every NBA franchise owner has contractually agreed to not do anything detrimental to the league under penalty of these sanctions.

[Mosby]

119. It's probably more than that

All the NBA owners probably sign a Standards and Ethics agreement. He is in violation of that, so Silver can bring the hammer down short of making him sell the franchise.

[JudyM]

141. Except he did not publish the vile recording, his GF did.

What he said was said in private.

[Cha]

159. How do you know his GF released the tape? Do you have a link?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

109. Sterling was free to say it and NBA was free to disapprove of it. nt

[Ikonoklast]

123. What governmental agency was involved?

The First Amendment only applies to speech against the government.


Private speech can and does get penalized on a daily basis with *zero* constitutional problems.


Tell your boss he can't tell you how to speak to him, see where that gets you.

[alp227]

137. Do you watch Duck Dynasty? Nt

[Warren Stupidity]

155. series?

[jwirr]

36. Curious: who gets the money?

[Mosby]

41. non-profits selected by the NBA and Players Association

[narnian60]

45. Charity.

[jwirr]

57. So glad that the players will be able to decide who gets the money.

[progressoid]

79. Something like the NAACP and/or NCLR would be poetic justice.

[mathematic]

112. NAACP was giving this guy cover!

He already received an award from them and he was about to receive a lifetime achievement award until this story broke. And this is a man that has been guilty of employment and housing discrimination in the past. It would be a real shame if the NAACP got the money.

[mopinko]

78. wouldnt if be great for the players to buy the team?

i mean,

[lebkuchen]

89. How about the city of LA?

I'd love it.

[mopinko]

93. that'd work, too.

understand you have some strong progressive leadership out there. make it happen.
maybe the nba will make him sell it for a dollar.

[frylock]

40. wow!

[calimary]

43. Wow! VERY proud of my mayor, Eric Garcetti!

Just made me extra proud of L.A.! WAY cool!!! He makes a great point. All those gentlemen and athletic artists on the court are not just wearing Clippers uniforms. They're wearing the name of our city. And I do not want to see it besmirched by old white racist assholes like donald sterling - regardless how rich and entitled they think they may be.

I voted for Eric Garcetti. Very pleased to see this!


DAYUM!!! Kevin Johnson, speaking just after him (apologies for not getting the quote completely accurate): "I hope every bigot in the country sees this and understands that if he (donald sterling, that is) can fall, so can you!" HOLY COW!!! THAT ROCKS!!!!!! And this one's for YOU, TOO, cliven bundy!!!!

[lebkuchen]

58. Eric Garcetti was amazing on Amanpour 30 min. ago live.

That is one bright guy, and I think he just gave the equivalent of the Gettysburg Address or the Democratic Convention keynote speech.

[calimary]

134. He comes from a family that's into public service. His father Gil was City Attorney for a long time

He ran unsuccessfully for mayor - beaten by Antonio Villaraigosa. His son seems to be doing A-OK so far. Also recently announced a city beautification program targeting one main street in each council district for upgrade, new plantings and landscaping, walkways, creating a nice atmosphere for shops and cafes - which sounds to me like a really nice thing to do for our whole sprawling city. A terrific idea, seems to me! VERY pleased with him so far.

[Cha]

161. good to know... thanks calimary~

[pinto]

44. (An aside) What a great news conference. I love it when questions are answered clearly, simply.

Silver did a good job.

[lebkuchen]

61. from what I heard overseas, Silver was super. However, I just got part of it

no Q & A because he made the announcement during Amanpour's time.

[pinto]

69. Clear and concise. 2 or 3 sentences in response, all to the point.

And asked about something he didn't know, said "I don't know."

I'm not a basketball fan but caught the presser for its social angle. Refreshing to see.

[lebkuchen]

88. this is worth a second post

http://amanpour.blogs.cnn.com/2014/04/29/first-on-cnn-la-mayor-applauds-nba-decision-on-clippers-owner/

Garcetti just got himself a whole lot of positive face-time. He's brilliant.

[Hissyspit]

103. lebkuchen!

I haven't seen you post for years.

[SaltyBro]

46. Any chance that Sterling could see prison time?

I am not sure of the laws.

[Maedhros]

62. What law has he broken?

There are no laws against being a hateful, moronic ass.

[SaltyBro]

64. There should be

His kind of thinking and speech are harmful to everyone.

[klook]

73. Prison time for thinking and talking

is not likely, unless you're an enemy of the state.

[Maedhros]

76. That's a debate that has raged for years.

Legislating against what individuals say is fraught with the possibility of unintended consequences.

Hateful racist rhetoric is pretty easily identified as harmful, but what happens when political speech is deemed hateful? I could easily see many Southern states citing pro-choice arguments as "hate speech."

Freedom of speech is not without its challenges.

[Nye Bevan]

91. Many DU posts would be prosecutable under such laws. (nt)

[Jefferson23]

96. What you're proposing would be dangerous. n/t

[Dr. Strange]

111. Careful what you wish for.

[Codeine]

145. Fuck that.

Free expression extends to stupidity.

[Peacetrain]

51. Alrighty now!!

good to see

[47of74]

53. I just have one thing to say to Mr. Sterling

[lebkuchen]

63. ...and take your slum-landlordism with you.

[TeamPooka]

54. You can own the team but you can't go to the games. HAHAHAHAHA!!!

[Nye Bevan]

59. I bet he's wishing he'd paid the girlfriend a million bucks to delete the recording.

And I bet she's wishing that too.

[JudyM]

143. +1 n/t

[LynneSin]

90. I never expected this - I figured a year ban

Good for the NBA. That sends a loud and clear message that if you are racist you are not welcomed in the NBA.

And for the fans that support Sterling like Krystal and Trump - you can stop buying tickets to NBA game. Defending him means you are racist too!

[herding cats]

95. "The fine will be donated to organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts"

This makes it all the more sweet.

They hit him with the max fine and then they're taking the money and using it to promote anti-discrimination and tolerance. Take that, Sterling!

[Paladin]

100. I am thoroughly impressed with Commissioner Silver. (nt)

[Ratty]

108. He's just so so gross

That picture of this literal troll billionaire with his hot, young model thing - I haven't seen something so disgusting in a long time. Everytime I see it I go "gaah!" and want to gouge my eyes out.

[malthaussen]

114. Much worse penalty than I expected.

I figured he'd been in for a little wrist-slap and maybe lose a few bucks. Even $2.5 million isn't going to hurt him financially, but the lifetime ban has got to hurt.

-- Mal

[mackerel]

120. What I don't understand is why was that chick with him anyway?

I mean some dude puts down your race and it's not the first time. Maybe it's just me...

[bigworld]

121. Easy answer: $$$

[Codeine]

146. The Almighty Dollar trumps a lot of dignity,

but even that evidently has its limits, as Mr. Bigotry has discovered.

[840high]

150. Money.

[uhnope]

127. Spike Lee: Sterling has 'mentality of a slave master'

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/24544915/spike-lee-sterling-has-mentality-of-a-slave-master

[undeterred]

128. Impressive...

and totally appropriate.

[yurbud]

129. I'm a white guy, and I approve this outcome.

[old guy]

131. Very surprised by this.

Maybe, just maybe, that light at the end of the tunnel really is daylight.

[asjr]

138. By now Paula Deen must be considering herself very lucky!

[Lamonte]

139. Enforcement?

First,what can the NBA do if he remains involved in running his business? It isn't breaking the law and he can ignore that part of the NBA rules. If he wants an excuse for violating that impossible to enforce rule he can say he is in the process of trying to sell the team. Second, if he does sell, he can and will ask for much more than the team is worth. A desperate league will have to deal with that. I doubt our courts will allow the NBA to decide the price for the team.

[NobodyHere]

153. He can be forced to sell the team.

It's in the NBA bylaws. The NBA just needs to approval of 3/4ths of the the other team's owners.

If he still refuses to sell I believe the NBA can just strip of the team or refuse to let the Clippers play in the NBA (which would sink the team).

[NobodyHere]

154. Here's the NBA's constitution

For that like wading through legaleze

http://mediacentral.nba.com/media/mediacentral/NBA-Constitution-and-By-Laws.pdf

[mvd]

165. Good! And..

it wouldn't be right in any sport, but the NBA has the highest percentage of African American players. So this guy is not only racist but very stupid.

[pacalo]

166. Here's the video of the entire press conference, including the q&a...