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Clippers fans on their feet to applaud NBA's life ban for Donald Sterling Clippers fans on their feet to applaud NBA's life ban for Donald Sterling
(about 2 hours later)
The process of expelling Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the NBA was well under way on Wednesday after the league's unexpectedly robust stance over his racist remarks transformed the team's playoff against the Garden State Warriors into an emotionally-charged celebration.The process of expelling Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the NBA was well under way on Wednesday after the league's unexpectedly robust stance over his racist remarks transformed the team's playoff against the Garden State Warriors into an emotionally-charged celebration.
A planned protest outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles became a victory party after the NBA announced a lifetime ban for Sterling and its commissioner began moves to force him to sell the team. The move was almost unprecedented in the lucrative business of competitive sport.A planned protest outside the Staples Center in Los Angeles became a victory party after the NBA announced a lifetime ban for Sterling and its commissioner began moves to force him to sell the team. The move was almost unprecedented in the lucrative business of competitive sport.
Even before the game, which the Clippers won 113-103, taking them into a 3-2 series lead, rival tycoons were jockeying for position. Sterling's banishment from the Clippers, a franchise he has owed for three decades, appeared assured: a majority of NBA ownership groups reached by the Associated Press said they would vote to force him to sell the club.
The entertainment mogul David Geffen and a consortium led by Earvin “Magic” Johnson were believed to be among those lining up as potential bidders on Tuesday, even as questions hovered over ousting the Clippers owner. Even before Tuesday night's game, which the Clippers won 113-103, taking them into a 3-2 series lead, rival tycoons were jockeying for position. The entertainment mogul David Geffen and a consortium led by Earvin “Magic” Johnson were believed to be among those lining up as potential bidders.
Sterling, who ignited a firestorm after being caught on tape making derogatory remarks about black people, reportedly stated a desire to keep hold of the Clippers, raising the spectre of a protracted, bruising tussle for a franchise estimated to be worth more than $1bn.Sterling, who ignited a firestorm after being caught on tape making derogatory remarks about black people, reportedly stated a desire to keep hold of the Clippers, raising the spectre of a protracted, bruising tussle for a franchise estimated to be worth more than $1bn.
Other NBA team owners confirmed a determination to expel Sterling from their ranks, however, suggesting the real estate billionaire was likely to lose a franchise he has owned for three decades. The hard line taken by the NBA averted talk of a boycott by players in the playoffs – a possibility which reportedly rattled owners and underlined the influence of the National Basketball Players Association and Kevin Johnson, a former NBA star, now mayor of Sacramento, who has advised the union.
Their resolve averted talk of a boycott by players in the playoffs – a possibility which reportedly rattled owners and underlined the influence of the National Basketball Players Association and Kevin Johnson, a former NBA star, now mayor of Sacramento, who has advised the union.
The NBA's commissioner, Adam Silver, announced the unexpectedly tough punishment at a press conference in New York on Tuesday, triggering relief and jubilation amongst players in a league that is dominated by white owners but 70% of whose players are black.The NBA's commissioner, Adam Silver, announced the unexpectedly tough punishment at a press conference in New York on Tuesday, triggering relief and jubilation amongst players in a league that is dominated by white owners but 70% of whose players are black.
Silver condemned Sterling's remarks – which were leaked and posted by TMZ.com last Friday – as “contrary to the principles of inclusion and respect” of a diverse, multi-racial league.Silver condemned Sterling's remarks – which were leaked and posted by TMZ.com last Friday – as “contrary to the principles of inclusion and respect” of a diverse, multi-racial league.
He imposed a lifetime ban, a $2.5m fine – the maximum allowed under the NBA's unpublished constitution – and said he would urge the organisation's governing body of other team owners to force Sterling to sell the Clippers.He imposed a lifetime ban, a $2.5m fine – the maximum allowed under the NBA's unpublished constitution – and said he would urge the organisation's governing body of other team owners to force Sterling to sell the Clippers.
Three-quarters of the league's 30 owners must approve the banishment – a verdict which seemed likely, as the Dallas Mavericks' Mark Cuban, the Orlando Magic's Dan DeVos and the Indiana Pacer's Herb Simon, among others, endorsed what some commentators called the “nuclear” option.Three-quarters of the league's 30 owners must approve the banishment – a verdict which seemed likely, as the Dallas Mavericks' Mark Cuban, the Orlando Magic's Dan DeVos and the Indiana Pacer's Herb Simon, among others, endorsed what some commentators called the “nuclear” option.
There had been suspicion that an ownership club of mostly white, male tycoons would balk at expelling one of its own, but the strength of the outcry – even Barack Obama weighed in – appeared to steel resolve. “I agree 100% with Commissioner Silver's findings, and the actions taken against Donald Sterling,” tweeted Cuban.There had been suspicion that an ownership club of mostly white, male tycoons would balk at expelling one of its own, but the strength of the outcry – even Barack Obama weighed in – appeared to steel resolve. “I agree 100% with Commissioner Silver's findings, and the actions taken against Donald Sterling,” tweeted Cuban.
“We will support his recommendation to press for Mr Sterling to relinquish his ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers franchise,” Jerry Reinsdorf, the Chicago Bulls owner, said in a statement.“We will support his recommendation to press for Mr Sterling to relinquish his ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers franchise,” Jerry Reinsdorf, the Chicago Bulls owner, said in a statement.
Before Silver's announcement Fox News reported that Sterling said he wished to keep the team. His response to the punishment was not known but his record as a tough, litigious operator suggested he would not go quietly or cheaply and may yet fight exile.Before Silver's announcement Fox News reported that Sterling said he wished to keep the team. His response to the punishment was not known but his record as a tough, litigious operator suggested he would not go quietly or cheaply and may yet fight exile.
Pending clarity, the team's coach, Doc Rivers, has not committed to staying on after the season. It also remains unclear if players will be allowed to become free agents.Pending clarity, the team's coach, Doc Rivers, has not committed to staying on after the season. It also remains unclear if players will be allowed to become free agents.
The limbo did not deter would-be owners laying down markers to take over the franchise. "There's already a feeding frenzy to buy [the Clippers] for a billion dollars easy," a high-ranking league official told Adrian Wojnarowski, a respected basketball analyst with Yahoo News.The limbo did not deter would-be owners laying down markers to take over the franchise. "There's already a feeding frenzy to buy [the Clippers] for a billion dollars easy," a high-ranking league official told Adrian Wojnarowski, a respected basketball analyst with Yahoo News.
Geffen, estimated by Forbes to be worth $6.2bn, expressed interest in bidding for the team again, having been rebuffed by Sterling in 2010. "If the Clippers become available he would be interested in buying the franchise," his office said in an emailed statement.Geffen, estimated by Forbes to be worth $6.2bn, expressed interest in bidding for the team again, having been rebuffed by Sterling in 2010. "If the Clippers become available he would be interested in buying the franchise," his office said in an emailed statement.
Rick Caruso, another LA-based billionaire who made his fortune in real estate, told the LA Times he was interested in leading or joining an ownership group for the the team.Rick Caruso, another LA-based billionaire who made his fortune in real estate, told the LA Times he was interested in leading or joining an ownership group for the the team.
The Guggenheim Partners, a consortium which includes Magic Johnson, the former Lakers star turned entrepreneur, is also reportedly keen, as is the boxer Floyd Mayweather, who said he would like to put together a group to make an offer.The Guggenheim Partners, a consortium which includes Magic Johnson, the former Lakers star turned entrepreneur, is also reportedly keen, as is the boxer Floyd Mayweather, who said he would like to put together a group to make an offer.
Sterling bought the Clippers in 1981 for $12m, and, according to critics, pennypinched through decades of defeat and underperformance. Nevertheless, according to Forbes, the Clippers organisation is now worth at least $575m, reflecting soaring values across the league. The team has also enjoyed on-court success this season.Sterling bought the Clippers in 1981 for $12m, and, according to critics, pennypinched through decades of defeat and underperformance. Nevertheless, according to Forbes, the Clippers organisation is now worth at least $575m, reflecting soaring values across the league. The team has also enjoyed on-court success this season.
The saga erupted after TMZ posted a recording of the 80-year-old tycoon telling his girlfriend, V Stiviano, to stop bringing black guests to Clippers games. He also complained that Stiviano, who frequently accompanied him to games, was posing with Magic Johnson and other black people in photographs posted to her Instagram account. Who recorded the conversation and how a tape ended up in the possession of TMZ remain unclear. The saga erupted after TMZ posted a recording of the 80-year-old tycoon telling his girlfriend, V Stiviano, to stop bringing black guests to Clippers games. He also complained that Stiviano, who frequently accompanied him to games, was posing with Magic Johnson and other black people in photographs posted to her Instagram account. "It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you're associating with black people," Sterling is heard to say. Who recorded the conversation and how a tape ended up in the possession of TMZ remain unclear.
Some critics complained that the NBA's sanctions did not make up for turning a blind eye to evidence of Sterling's racism outlined in lawsuits a decade ago.Some critics complained that the NBA's sanctions did not make up for turning a blind eye to evidence of Sterling's racism outlined in lawsuits a decade ago.
Most, however, cheered the league. “Call it the most spectacular slam dunk in professional basketball history,” said the LA Times columnist, Bill Plaschke. “With one dazzling, devastating move, the NBA has thrown down against evil. Thankfully, finally, Donald Sterling is done.”Most, however, cheered the league. “Call it the most spectacular slam dunk in professional basketball history,” said the LA Times columnist, Bill Plaschke. “With one dazzling, devastating move, the NBA has thrown down against evil. Thankfully, finally, Donald Sterling is done.”