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On Tuesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that the Los Angeles Clippers owner has been fined $2.5 million and banned from the NBA for life following racist comments that came to light over the weekend.
"We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling's views," Silver said during his press conference in New York. "They simply have no place in the NBA."
Sterling has been known as a racist and bigot for actions. From denying compensation to Elgin Baylor to his run-ins with former tenants, Sterling has continued to be a black spot on the Clippers' organization, the city of Los Angeles and the NBA. Now, Silver and the NBA following his recent remarks caught on tape, will now look to remove him as the owner of the Clippers and force a sale of the team.
As Jemele Hill said on SportsCenter, Sterling has already won financially because he stands to gain tremendously as the Clippers franchise is worth more now than they were when he first purchased the team. However, you have to give Adam Silver credit. Not very many people were thinking the new commissioner would ban him for life from the league. This decision, three months in to his tenure as the newly appointed head of the league, will be the signature decision of Silver's era.
While that may seem to be a stretch because we don't know what else Silver may do, this decision speaks volumes saving an organization from the downward spiral it was eventually headed in. Now, you may see a renewed Clippers team that seemed distracted in Golden State. You will see new life in fans that once vowed not to support this team.
Needless to say, the decision, as tough as it was to make, was the correct one. Remarks of that nature made by Sterling have no place in the NBA. If the league looks to make itself a global commodity, these comments have to be completely removed from the league and this statement made by Silver is a good start. The league needed this. Now, the healing process can begin for players, coaches, executives and fans alike.
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