OT - Donald Sterling comments

[Hoss]

I know this isn't directly related to the NHL, but I think this situation impacts everybody.

 

Here is a copy of the tape:

http://deadspin.com/...tape-1568291249

 

 

 

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver just announced the Donald Sterling will be banned FOR LIFE. He is no longer allowed to associate with the team, league or attend any events.

 

 

Sterling still owns the Clippers, but this will likely force him to sell it.

Edited April 29, 2014 by Tankalicious

[Campy]

I know this isn't directly related to the NHL, but I think this situation impacts everybody.

 

Here is a copy of the tape:

http://deadspin.com/...tape-1568291249

 

 

 

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver just announced the Donald Sterling will be banned FOR LIFE. He is no longer allowed to associate with the team, league or attend any events.

 

Probably the right call, but I'm still not sure I understand how/why such a blatantly racist person would even come to own an NBA team.

[Sabres Fan in NS]

I think it's a good move, but how exactly do they plan on enforcing that ban.

 

How do they ban an owner? Are they going to try to force him to sell?

 

And have these alleged disgusting utterances been proven to actually be made by him?

[Samson's Flow]

I know this isn't directly related to the NHL, but I think this situation impacts everybody.

 

Here is a copy of the tape:

http://deadspin.com/...tape-1568291249

 

 

 

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver just announced the Donald Sterling will be banned FOR LIFE. He is no longer allowed to associate with the team, league or attend any events.

 

 

Sterling still owns the Clippers, but this will likely force him to sell it.

This is about as close to forcing him to sell the team that the league can do. Glad they didn't wimp out.

 

The other point is even if they did nothing, the team going forward has probably lost all ability to recruit FA targets since not many players will want to come to play for Sterling. What if CP3 or Griffin demand a trade in the offseason cause they refuse to play for that franchise. The team is f'd as long as Sterling is there.

[shrader]

Stop the presses! There's an 80-something year old guy who is a racist! Next ESPN will be telling me about the ever so rare tree that has pine cones. The only good thing to come from this is that this punishment is going to cause a whole hell of a lot of legal trouble for the NBA. I'm sure it's just a PR punishment and they've already got something worked out to expedite a sale of the team, but if by some chance they don't, this thing has ****storm written all over it.

Edited April 29, 2014 by shrader

[Hoss]

My guess on how this plays out:

 

The ban and fine is upheld. Sterling ends up being forced to sell, but sues the league under anti-trust laws for forcing him to sell below market value. The team is valued and then the NBA has to pay the difference of the value if it is sold below that.

[MattPie]

Another black eye for Buffalo, the once proud Buffalo Braves reduced to this.

[nobody]

Banned from watching the Clippers play. Is that a punishment or reward?

[Campy]

Another black eye for Buffalo, the once proud Buffalo Braves reduced to this.

 

:huh: I'm pretty sure you're the only person on the planet connecting those dots.

[X. Benedict]

:huh: I'm pretty sure you're the only person on the planet connecting those dots.

 

I admit I thought it too. Especially with Jack Ramsay passing away.

[Eleven]

Banned from watching the Clippers play. Is that a punishment or reward?

 

I think he's banned from going to any team's games.

 

I am so glad to see quick, decisive action rather than a bunch of hemming and hawing. This was the right move, as is the attempt to force the sale of the team.

[Campy]

I admit I thought it too. Especially with Jack Ramsay passing away.

 

Interesting. The LA Clippers of 2014 are so far removed from the early 70s Braves I don't associate one with the other.

 

Plus, basketball sucks. :w00t:

[ubkev]

 

 

Probably the right call, but I'm still not sure I understand how/why such a blatantly racist person would even come to own an NBA team.

 

Why would a person own slaves? It's the same answer to both questions. They allow your business to make a lot of money.

 

I can't stand the NBA, I'm a college hoops guy, but I've been following this a little and I gotta give props to Silver for making this happen so quickly. It would be nice for the owners votes be made public.

 

This is probably worse than the Marge Schott thing back in the day.

[Iron Crotch]

Sterling is, of course, married. And, his wife is suing the girlfriend because Sterling has given her (the girlfriend) millions of dollars worth of lavish gifts. All the while the girlfriend who is Latina / African American was secretly taping Sterling's racist rants. This whole thing is a mess.

Edited April 29, 2014 by Potato

[shrader]

I think he's banned from going to any team's games.

 

I am so glad to see quick, decisive action rather than a bunch of hemming and hawing. This was the right move, as is the attempt to force the sale of the team.

 

How can you actually ban someone from walking into a building where he's the one paying the lease? I would love nothing more than to see the NBA implode, so I hope he shows up for the next game. This thing is nothing more than a paper transaction by the NBA meant to save face.

[X. Benedict]

Interesting. The LA Clippers of 2014 are so far removed from the early 70s Braves I don't associate one with the other.

 

Plus, basketball sucks. :w00t:

 

I never really forgave the NBA for pulling out of Buffalo......but there is still no way I could ever imagine cheering for the Clippers.

[Eleven]

How can you actually ban someone from walking into a building where he's the one paying the lease? I would love nothing more than to see the NBA implode, so I hope he shows up for the next game. This thing is nothing more than a paper transaction by the NBA meant to save face.

 

Apparently, it's somewhere in the NBA constitution, by-laws, and/or agreements with its franchises.

 

This isn't new; the Cincinnati Reds did something similar with Marge Schott years ago. And I believe that Steinbrenner was banned from the Yanks for a while, too, wasn't he?

[Campy]

Why would a person own slaves? It's the same answer to both questions. They allow your business to make a lot of money.

 

I can't stand the NBA, I'm a college hoops guy, but I've been following this a little and I gotta give props to Silver for making this happen so quickly. It would be nice for the owners votes be made public.

 

This is probably worse than the Marge Schott thing back in the day.

 

I suppose you have a point, but I think there are some important distinctions to be drawn between slavery's institutionalized racism from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, and owning a sports team in the 21st. First and foremost: A wealthy landowner needed slaves to keep his plantation competitive, a slumlord doesn't need to own an NBA team.

 

I never really forgave the NBA for pulling out of Buffalo......but there is still no way I could ever imagine cheering for the Clippers.

 

I never forgave the NBA either. And because of that, I pay so little attention to it that I didn't know Oklahoma City had a team until last year!

[X. Benedict]

I suppose you have a point, but I think there are some important distinctions to be drawn between slavery's institutionalized racism from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, and owning a sports team in the 21st. First and foremost: A wealthy landowner needed slaves to keep his plantation competitive, a slumlord doesn't need to own an NBA team.

 

 

 

I never forgave the NBA either. And because of that, I pay so little attention to it that I didn't know Oklahoma City had a team until last year!

 

I honestly couldn't name 10 players in the league today.

The one I can name I know personally. :lol:

[ubkev]

 

 

I suppose you have a point, but I think there are some important distinctions to be drawn between slavery's institutionalized racism from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, and owning a sports team in the 21st. First and foremost: A wealthy landowner needed slaves to keep his plantation competitive, a slumlord doesn't need to own an NBA team.

 

You're right that he doesn't need to own an NBA team; however as a slumlord, he is a property investor. And as an investor he bought something that cost him 12.5 million dollars and is now worth 575 million dollars. I think that's a solid ROI.

 

Anyway, the man is scum. Good on the league.

[That Aud Smell]

This thing is nothing more than a paper transaction by the NBA meant to save face.

 

not so. king at his press conference said (1) sterling is banned for life (FOR LIFE! (watch the presser for the joke effect)) and (2) he expects full support from the other owners to compel sale of the franchise.

 

the take on this that must be heard is here, starting at 3:45.

 

Edited April 29, 2014 by That Aud Smell

[shrader]

Apparently, it's somewhere in the NBA constitution, by-laws, and/or agreements with its franchises.

 

This isn't new; the Cincinnati Reds did something similar with Marge Schott years ago. And I believe that Steinbrenner was banned from the Yanks for a while, too, wasn't he?

 

And now he's got a plaque outside the stadium, so there's still hope for Sterling. They better use the whitest metal they can find though.

 

Ultimately, I still have no idea what a ban like this truly means. He somehow can't "manage" the team yet he can still sit back and watch his wealth increase. He still holds all the cards. I hope he fights the push to sell because the NBA will look even worse and I'm all for that.

[Eleven]

And now he's got a plaque outside the stadium, so there's still hope for Sterling. They better use the whitest metal they can find though.

 

Ultimately, I still have no idea what a ban like this truly means. He somehow can't "manage" the team yet he can still sit back and watch his wealth increase. He still holds all the cards. I hope he fights the push to sell because the NBA will look even worse and I'm all for that.

 

I'm sure they will find the finest alabaster.

 

Why do you want the NBA to look worse? I'm not a fan, but I don't really care what the league looks like in the public eye, either.

Edited April 29, 2014 by Eleven

[shrader]

I'm sure they will find the finest alabaster.

 

Why do you want the NBA to look worse? I'm not a fan, but I don't really care what the league looks like in the public eye, either.

 

I'm just not a basketball guy, so from my point of view, its something that takes time away from hockey. And actually, the more I think about it, it's not really the league that looks bad right now, but just about anything that is remotely close to this story. The whole story comes off as "racism is bad.... now look the other way while we use that racism to line our pockets". It seems pretty clear now that people have been well aware of this guy for a long time, but not much ever happened because hey, he's giving us money.

 

And now that shining beacon of journalistic integrity known as TMZ is the one that finally takes this guy down. :wallbash:

[Hoss]

So many people online bashing the NBA for infringing on free speech... How long will it take people to realize that free speech only protects you from the government?