After an internal investigation authenticated the now infamous conversation of Donald Sterling, the NBA issued its most severe punishment that it had on its books, a lifetime ban from the NBA. The ban was confirmed this Tuesday, stemming from the conversation Sterling had with a woman that many believe to be his mistress.
“The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. That they came from an NBA owner only heightens the damage and my personal outrage,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver at a news conference. The 80 year-old Sterling has owned the Clippers for more than 30 years, but when it is finally finished he will also have to pay a $2.5 million fine and he will be pressured into selling the Clippers franchise.
“We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling’s views,” said the commissioner today. “They simply have no place in the NBA.” The statements that Sterling told the woman, V. Stiviano age 30, included that Sterling did not want her to, “bring black people to his games,” and the conversation included NBA hall of famer Magic Johnson.
