On Tuesday, April 29th, NBA Commissioner Adam
Silver held a conference concerning the recent release of a tape recording with
Clippers owner Donald Sterling making several racist remarks. Silver announced
that Sterling will receive a $2.5 million fine, a lifetime ban from the NBA and
the owners of the other NBA teams will vote to force Sterling to sell the
franchise. In order for the league to force Sterling to sell the team, ¾ of the
owners must agree to the proposition.
"We
stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling's views," Silver said.
"They simply have no place in the NBA."
The tape
was posted on TMZ’s website last Friday, April 25th. The
conversation was between Sterling and his “girlfriend”, V. Stiviano. Majority
of the conversation consisted of Sterling trying to figure out why Stiviano
wanted to let the public see her with a black man. Throughout the 9:26 tape, racist remarks
like, “"It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re
associating with black people. Do you have to?" and "You can sleep
with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want.
The little I ask you is not to promote it on that ... and not to bring
them to my games."
The tape
goes on to point out Laker legend Irvin “Magic” Johnson. Stiviano took a
picture with Johnson and posted it on Instagram.
"...Don't put him [Magic] on
an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And
don't bring him to my games," said Sterling.
Prior to the conference, Clipper’s
players were prepared to boycott game five of their first round playoff series
with the Golden State Warriors. The team also began to protest during the
warm-ups of game four. The entire team gathered around the Clipper’s logo at
half-court and took of their warm-up jerseys and threw them down at half-court.
Marc Jackson, Head Coach of the
Warriors, also suggested the best way of protest is for the fans to not attend
the playoff games. If the fans did not attend the games, then their money could
not cycle down into Sterling’s bank account. Once the announcement hit the
Internet, fans, players, coaches and owners all seemed to have an overall
consensus; Adam Silver handled the situation perfectly and are thrilled with
Sterling’s punishment.
Magic Johnson took to Twitter to
express his appreciation saying, "Commissioner Silver showed great
leadership in banning LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life.”
"Commissioner Silver thank you
for protecting our beautiful and powerful league!! Great leader!" said
Miami Heat Small Forward Lebron James.
Despite the racist remarks still in
the Clippers’ minds, the team channeled their frustration into a 113-103 game
five win to take the series lead on April 29th. The night was an
emotional one, with many players relieving a weight off their shoulders.
For the sake of the NBA, I hope
racism has taken a huge blow since the announcement. Racism seemed to be an old
point of view, but I am glad to be a part of a society that will not tolerate
it at all.
-Nick
Weir
Co-Editor
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