NBA: Clippers owner Donald Sterling banned for life, fined $2.5M

The NBA has banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life and has fined him $2.5 million, the maximum fine allowed in the NBA constitution. NBA commissioner Adam Silver will also urge the NBA owners to force Silver to sell the franchise. Silver is confident that he will get the support of the owners.

Over the weekend audio recordings were released capturing the longest tenured NBA owner uttering racist remarks. An investigation conducted by the NBA has since confirmed that Sterling was the person speaking in the recordings. Silver said Sterling acknowledged he was the man on the tape.

“We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling’s views,” Silver said. “They simply have no place in the NBA.”

“As part of the lifetime ban, Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team,” said Silver. “He will also be barred from attending NBA Board of Governors meetings and participating in any other league activity.”

The $2.5 million fine will be donated to organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts that will be jointly selected by the NBA and the players’ association.

If the league is successful in forcing the Sterling to sell the Clippers, which is expected to be valued at close to $ 575 million, several groups are already ready to line up and make a bid for the franchise. Former Los Angeles Lakers player Ervin “Magic” Johnson and his Guggenheim partners are expected to be one of the interested parties. Music and film mogul David Geffen, whose net worth is estimated at $6.2 billion by Forbes, tried to buy the Clippers in 2010 and is reportedly interested again. Billionaire CEO of Oracle Larry Ellison is also a possible bidder as well. Sterling bought the NBA franchise for $12.5 million in 1981.