NBA commissioner Adam Silver made an announcement today about the probe into the racist remarks that Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling allegedly made.
Silver stated that Sterling will be fined $2.5 million – the maximum penalty allowed by the NBA — and is banned from the NBA indefinitely for telling his much younger rumored girlfriend V. Stiviano that he didn’t want African Americans at Clippers games, or on her Instagram page.
Sterling is prohibited from attending any NBA games or practices and will not be allowed inside any Clippers facilities. Sterling is also barred from attending any league activities.
This crisis occurs only 88 days after Silver took over the commissioner spot from David Stern, who held the position for 30 years.
Sterling’s remarks have sparked public outrage, and have even garnered comments from President Obama. Oprah Winfrey, Queen Latifah and Clippers coach Doc Rivers have all spoken out against the owner’s remarks.
Rivers reportedly also turned down a phone call from the billionaire.
“I’d just like to reiterate how disappointed I am in our — in the comments attributed to our owner,” Rivers stated. “And I can’t tell you how upset I am, our players are.”
As expected, many took to Twitter to post their responses regarding the verdict:
There is no amount of money that excludes you from treating other people with respect. Thank you, Adam Silver.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 29, 2014
Read my mind RT @foxsportsreiter: Adam Silver's anger and passion is phenomenal.
— Erin Andrews (@ErinAndrews) April 29, 2014
And hats off to Adam Silver today. Brave decision despite the infancy of his reign as #NBA commissioner.
— Chris Dickerson (@CDickerson_PFTP) April 29, 2014
Adam Silver just passed Bill Clinton & Eminem as most popular white guy according to black ppl.
— Gary Owen (@garyowencomedy) April 29, 2014
Adam Silver be like.. pic.twitter.com/JsnzisDguF
— Faux John Madden (@FauxJohnMadden) April 29, 2014
Adam Silver to Donald Sterling: "Cram it up your cram hole Sterling!"
— White Goodman (@White_Goodman_) April 29, 2014
Adam Silver's face after Banning Donald Sterling and walking off the podium pic.twitter.com/Q7u0J4TSnR
— Basketball Forever (@Bballforeverfb) April 29, 2014
Lebron James and Miami Heat protested against Sterling at their playoff game on Monday by wearing their warm-up jackets inside out.
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban had his own comments about Sterling’s racist remarks.
“In no uncertain terms am I supporting what Donald Sterling said, or his position,” said the outspoken coach in an interview. ”He’s obviously racist, he’s obviously bigoted. But regardless of your background, regardless of the history they have, if we’re taking something somebody said in their home and we’re trying to turn it into something that leads to you being forced to divest property in any way, shape or form, that’s not the United States of America. I don’t want to be part of that.”
Image via YouTube