NBA bans Donald Sterling for life

Speaking to the press, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that the league will ban Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling for life from attending games and from any association with the team. Sterling will also be fined the maximum amount of $2.5 million. Confirming that the voice on the recording was that of Donald Sterling, the commissioner said Sterling’s words were “deeply offensive and harmful” and contrary to principles of the league.

The league will urge other owners to force Sterling to sell the team.

Immediately following the NBA announcement, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was joined by Sacramento Mayor special adviser to the NBPA Kevin Johnson and league players. Speaking to the press, Mayor Johnson lauded the commissioner’s decision, but said there’s a lot more to go when it comes to combating discrimination. “Yes we have an African American president, yes justice happened in a swift manner, but these events remind all of us that hatred and bigotry are far from over,” said Mayor Johnson.

“I hope that every bigot in this country sees what happened to Mr. Sterling and recognizes that if he can fall, so can you,” he said.

Current and former NBA players now know that in Commissioner Adam Silver we have a great leader leading our league.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 29, 2014

You can find more background on Donald Sterling’s history of bigotry here.

This post has been updated.