Adam Silver just announced in a NYC press conference that he has banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling from all NBA-related activities for life.
He's also fined the 80-year old real estate mogul $2.5 million, an amount that will be donated to various charities.
Silver told reporters that a forensic review of the V. Stiviano audio recording of Sterling being all kinds of racist discovered no evidence it was altered in any way.
The Commissioner added that he spoke with Sterling in the past couple days and referred to his views as "offensive and harmful."
Sterling also admitted to his voice being on the tape.
As a quick refresher: Donald Sterling owns the Clippers and has faced multiple racial discrimination lawsuits in the past.
Over the weekend, TMZ released a recording of Sterling castigating his girlfriend for being seen in public with African-Americans.
He went on to call her "stupid" for thinking that one's skin color doesn't matter and was also recorded talking down about his black players, giving himself props for putting food on their table.
Reaction to Sterling's ignorant idiocy has been swift and has crossed all industries, from sports to music to politics.
[Donald Sterling is a] bitch-ass redneck, white bread, chicken sh-t mother f-cker.
Snoop Dogg
- Permalink: Mother Effer!
- Added:
1. Mother Effer!
[Donald Sterling is a] bitch-ass redneck, white bread, chicken sh-t mother f-cker.
If I was a Clipper fan, I wouldn’t be one anymore. It’s that simple. But if I was a Clipper player, a current Clipper player, you wouldn’t see me on the court anymore in that uniform.
Lil Wayne
- Permalink: Take off that uniform
- Added:
2. Take off that uniform
If I was a Clipper fan, I wouldn’t be one anymore. It’s that simple. But if I was a Clipper player, a current Clipper player, you...
Donald sterling is the definition of racism .... He could b your judge.... Your doctor.....your teacher etc.
Meek Mill
- Permalink: The definition of racism
- Added:
3. The definition of racism
Donald sterling is the definition of racism .... He could b your judge.... Your doctor.....your teacher etc.
time for #Clippers players to step up. Refuse to play till NBA moves against this racist jackass #Sterling. NBA can't defend him.
Keith Olbermann
- Permalink: Boycott!
- Added:
4. Boycott!
time for #Clippers players to step up. Refuse to play till NBA moves against this racist jackass #Sterling. NBA can't defend him.
When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don't really have to do anything. You just let them talk… We've made enormous strides, but you're going to continue to see this percolate up every so often.
Barack Obama
- Permalink: It speaks for itself
- Added:
5. It speaks for itself
When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don't really have to do anything. You just let them talk… We've made enormous...
No one should be allowed to own a team if they have in fact engaged in this kind of racial language.
Al Sharpton
- Permalink: Throw him out
- Added:
6. Throw him out
No one should be allowed to own a team if they have in fact engaged in this kind of racial language.
It's a shame that Donald Sterling feels that way about African-Americans. He has a team full of amazing African-American basketball players that are working to bring a championship to Clippers fans. The Clippers also have a strong minority fan base.
Magic Johnson
- Permalink: What a shame
- Added:
7. What a shame
It's a shame that Donald Sterling feels that way about African-Americans. He has a team full of amazing African-American basketball...
Shaquille O'Neal: Everyone has their thoughts. When your opinions and thoughts become public knowledge, the question is, now what? Another question is: will his team shut down on him and take his remarks personally?...I think the league should take a long hard look on whether this guy should continue to be an owner or not.
- Permalink: Should he own the team?
- Added:
8. Should he own the team?
Shaquille O'Neal: Everyone has their thoughts. When your opinions and thoughts become public knowledge, the question is, now what?...
Silver apologized directly to Magic Johnson (who was referenced on the tape) and said he will urge the NBA Board of Governors to push for a sale of the Clippers.
"I will do everything in my power to ensure that happens," Silver said at the podium. "We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling's views. They simply have no place in the NBA."
