This was the scene earlier today as Don Sterling’s mistress V. Stiviano left her house just hours before NBA Commissioner Adam Sterling announced that the Clippers owner would be banned from the NBA for life. He won’t be able to carry a league pass, attend games or practices, be in any facilities and he’s barred from NBA board of governors meetings.
The NBA will now have control over who is running the team but Don will technically be able to stay on as an owner until he is voted out. On top of the suspension, he’ll have to dish out a fine of $2.5 million.
The central findings of the investigation are that the man whose voice is on the recordings … is Mr. Sterling and that the hateful feelings are those of Mr. Sterling. The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply disturbing and alarming. […]As for Mr. Sterling’s ownership interest in the Clippers,” Silver said. “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.”
This has been a painful moment for all members of the NBA family. The owners have the authority subject to 3/4 vote, to remove him as owner.
After the press conference, celebs took to Twitter to react to the ban:
Jason Collins: Commissioner of the @NBA just showed us how he drops the hammer on ignorance. #lifetimeban for Donald Sterling. The ultimate #gonefishing
Magic Johnson: Commissioner Silver showed great leadership in banning LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life. Former and current NBA players are very happy and satisfied with Commissioner Silver’s ruling. Now the Clippers players and fans can concentrate on the game tonight against the Warriors with Commissioner Silver’s decision. Current and former NBA players now know that in Commissioner Adam Silver we have a great leader leading our league. Now let’s hope that the other 29 owners do the right thing.
LeBron James: Commissioner Silver thank you for protecting our beautiful and powerful league!! Great leader!! #BiggerThanBasketball #StriveForGreatness
Shaquille O’Neal: Way to go, Commissioner Silver! The NBA stands for everybody!
Reggie Miller: Commissioner Silver, FANTASTIC!!! New Sheriff lays down the law, kudos… Honest n precise.. #BANNEDForLife
Dwyane Wade: Commissioner Silver….STRONG…way to take charge and protect our great league.
Stephen A. Smith: Thank You, Commissioner Silver for doing precisely wanted NEEDED to be done. The message has been sent. Now, the owners can vote him out and we can all move on
Mike Epps: Breaking news ! GOD just said don’t bring Donald sterling to my Heaven
DL Hughley: Damn Donald Sterling banned for life!!! He’s almost 80 so that’s about 2 weeks!!!
Tyrese: Donald Sterling! Congratulations you are now on more Black Social Media pages than your girlfriend! #YouShowedHer #OneNationUnderGod
The Clippers, meanwhile, responded by updating their website to a blank page with only the words “We Are One” above their logo and coach Doc Rivers issued the following statement:
I would like to reiterate how disappointed I am in the comments attributed to [Donald Sterling] and I can’t even begin to tell you how upset I am and our players are. Today, I had a meeting with the members of our organization. When you are around all these people, you realize they are just as upset and embarrassed by the situation and it does not reflect who they really are. That was what I got from all of them. They are now a part of this and they are upset at this. But, they are all going to hang in there and so are we — I can tell you that as a group and as a team. From our fans’ standpoint, I want to say that they have been amazing, I can tell you that. We need unbelievable support right now from other people and I’m hoping we get that. My hope is that whatever the fans do, it is as one. I think that is what we all should do.
[…] We are all trying to figure out everything as it goes and just do our best and we hope that it is the right answer. I’m still going to do my best and do what I think is best for the team and for everybody in this case. It is very difficult because there are so many emotions in this. This is a very emotional subject, this is personal.
My belief is that the longer we keep winning, the more we talk about this. I believe that is good. If we want to make a statement — I believe that is how we have to do it. I think that is the right way to do it, but that doesn’t mean we still don’t wrestle with it every day and every moment. That is the difficult part
We are all doing our best here. Our players are doing their best. There are a lot of people involved in this. From one man’s comments, a lot of people have been affected and the conversations that we’re all having do need to be had.
Business Week reports, Clippers Playoff ticket sales before today’s announcement were down by 50% from the last game the Clippers played at home
