Adam Silver’s Decision on Donald Sterling Clippers Controversy

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Nearly the entire world will be watching recently appointed NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s biggest decision yet, to repair or destroy the Clippers franchise. The big elephant in the room for the league is regarding the immediate future of Los Angeles owner, Donald Sterling. TMZ acquired a recorded conversation from Sterling’s mistress, which he made several racist comments at minority acquaintances she would periodically showcase on Instagram.

This would soon receive obvious backlash from not only NBA, but nearly every media outlet and fan in the country. Although this has been a major PR nightmare for the league, Silver will have to make a big decision at 2pm ET, to decide the fate of Sterling and his current ownership of the LA Clippers.

Adam Silver’s press conference just ended and his verdict after the investigation was to ban Donald Sterling from the Clippers for life and fined him $2.5 million dollars, the maximum penalty under current NBA rules.

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2:10 TMZ is saying Donald Sterling has been suspended indefinitely.
2:15: Adam Silver has taken the podium.
2:16 Silver confirms that the voice was that of Donald Sterling.
2:17 “I am personally distraught, that the views from Mr. Sterling came from within.”
2:17 “Effective immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA.”
2:18 Sterling is being fined 2.5 million dollars, the maximum allowed under the NBA constitution.
2:19 “This has been a painful moment for all members of the NBA family.”

Questions from the Media

2:20 Silver says he hasn’t polled the owners but he spoke to several of them and has full support to force Sterling to sell the team.
2:20 “I can’t speak for past actions but I can only say that when specific evidence was brought, we took action.”
2:21 According to Silver, the investigation concluded late last night.
2:23 Sterling admitted to Silver that it was his voice on the tape.
2:24 This punishment did not reflect his past behavior.
2:25 “Magic Johnson knows he’s always welcome as an owner in the league.”
2:26 Silver talked to several players before his decision (including Chris Paul, Doc Rivers and other players from the Clippers) and he believes they will be satisfied with the ruling today.
2:27 Silver believes they have appropriate rules now that don’t necessarily need to see change as of now.
2:36 “I fully expect to get the support of owners to remove him (from the NBA)”

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