UPDATE: Adam Silver has just announced that the man heard over the audio is in fact Donald Sterling. Sterling has been suspended indefinitely, banned for life from any league activities, and fined $2.5M, according to the senior NBA official. The funds will be donated to anti-discrimination organizations.
Silver: “When I first heard it I was shocked. I was hoping it was fraudulent or doctored.”
He stated, “The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. That they came from an NBA owner only heighten the damage… I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA.”
“As for Mr. Sterling’s ownership interests in the Clippers,” he continued, “I would urge the Board of Governors to force the sale of the team.” When asked whether he thought Sterling would fight him for having to sell the team, he said, “I have no idea.”
“Magic Johnson knows he’s always welcome as an owner in this league,” said Silver when asked whether former Lakers star would be a potential buyer.
All eyes are on Adam Silver, the commissioner of the NBA , who is under pressure to swiftly determine the fate of L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling who has recently caused much stir in the media.
TMZ, as well as Deadspin, obtained portions of the infamous audiotape that contained a phone conversation between Sterling and his half-African-American, half-Mexican girlfriend V. Stiviano. Sterling is heard telling her that he doesn’t want black people to attend his games, specifically mentioning Magic Johnson.
Before making his decision, Silver’s first precedence is to verify that the voice on the recording is in fact Sterling’s. His next move, however, remains unclear.
Sacremento Mayor Kevin Johnson, the former NBA All-Star, said, “This situation is a massive distraction for the league right now. It must be addressed immediately.” Johnson is currently serving as an adviser to the National Basketball Players Association while the Sterling matter plays out.
“This is a defining moment for the league,” noted Johnson. “It’s a defining moment for the commissioner.”
It didn’t take long before many people reacted to the offensive comments, showing no sympathy as they voiced their opinions about the owner. President Obama, who is a prominent fan, called Sterling’s racial remarks “incredible offensive.”
Others have also spoken out to condemn the alleged Sterling remarks include Washington’s Ted Leonsis, Miami’s Micky Arison, Heat forward Lebron James, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, and many others.
Rochelle Sterling, the wife of Clippers owner Donald Sterling, released a statement to KABC-TV in Los Angeles late Sunday.
“Our family is devastated by the racist comments made by my estranged husband. My children and I do not share these despicable views or prejudices. We will not let one man’s small mindedness poison the spirit of the fans and accomplishments of the team in the city we love. We are doing everything in our power to stand by and support our Clippers team.”
Sterling was scheduled to receive the NAACP lifetime achievement award for the second time later this month, but the L.A. branch has retracted the award.
No. He should not continue owning the clippers. #nochance #noway #nohow
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 28, 2014
I know coaches & players play for each other & especially THE FANS, but it would be hard for me to play another game for Sterling. #NBA — James Worthy (@James_Worthy42) April 26, 2014
Michael Jordan: “There is no room in the NBA – or anywhere else – for the kind of racism and hatred that Mr. Sterling allegedly expressed.”
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) April 27, 2014
Former Lakers star Magic Johnson, whose name was mentioned in the audio footage, also quickly responded on Twitter, stating his opinions about the scandal regarding Sterling and his crude remarks.
LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s comments about African Americans are a black eye for the NBA.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 26, 2014
I feel sorry for my friends Coach Doc Rivers and Chris Paul that they have to work for a man that feels that way about African Americans.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 26, 2014
.@cjbycookie and I will never go to a Clippers game again as long as Donald Sterling is the owner.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 26, 2014
Center DeAndre Jordan posted this on his Instagram account shortly after the news broke:
News broke out on TNT during halftime of the Indiana Pacers-Atlanta Hawks game on Saturday. The crew of Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley blasted Sterling, with Barkley calling for an immediate suspension.
“He’s got to suspend him right now,” stated Barkley. “First of all, they’ve got to prove it’s his voice on the tape. But this is the first big test of Adam Silver. You can’t have this guy making statements like that. He has to suspend him and fine him immediately. He has to be suspended.”
Shaq questioned if Sterling should continue being an owner, while Smith illustrated that “racism is a refuge for ignorance.”
He continues, “When it comes time to re-sign with a team, that might be a team that you have second thoughts about playing with, because of the type of ownership.”
