Donald Sterling Banned for Life From Clippers: NBA Owners Respond to Adam Silver's Decision
The commissioner of the NBA, Adam Silver, has banned the LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life Tuesday. He also fined him $2.5 million and has comitted to forcing the 80-year-old to sell the team. Silver's decision came because of racist comments Sterling made that were leaked Saturday by his ex-mistress V. Stiviano.
Other NBA team owners are offering their responses to the commissioner's decision, and many seem to support him.
Larry H. Miller, the owner of the Utah Jazz, voiced his support of Silver in a statement.
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"On behalf of the Miller family, we support the decisive action by Commissioner Silver and the NBA to reaffirm that there is no place for racism and hatred in our league," he said. "The Jazz organization and all the teams in the NBA should act as national leaders in promoting inclusiveness and diversity. ... While this situation has been inexcusable, I hope it serves the greater purpose of reinforcing our vigilance against this type of behavior."
The owner of the Atlanta Hawks, Bruce Levenson, echoed the Jazz owner's support.
"I commend Commissioner Adam Silver in being diligent in how he handled this important matter. He acted swiftly and appropriately with the severity of the penalty and I strongly support his decision," Levenson said.
In a statement, Silver explained his decision to ban and fine Sterling.
"The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling's views. They simply have no place in the NBA," he said.
The league commissioner continued to explain just how damaging Sterling's comments were.
"Sentiments of this kind are contrary to the principles of inclusion and respect that form the foundation of our diverse, multicultural and multi-ethnic league. They are now public and they reflect his views," Silver said.
