Adam Silver Bans Donald Sterling for Life from NBA!

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is slapped with a lifetime ban from the NBA and a $2.5 million fine over racist remarks.

Adam Silver said the National Basketball Association “will begin immediately” to force Sterling to sell the team.  Sterling admitted it was his voice on the recording.

“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,” Silver said. Regardless of whether Sterling’s views were expressed in private, “They are now public and they reflect his views.”

The fine is the maximum that can be imposed under NBA rules. Under the ban, Sterling can’t go to games, attend practices, make decisions regarding the team or attend NBA meetings, and Silver said NBA owners are expected to provide the three-quarters vote needed to force Sterling to sell the team.

GROWING CHORUS OF DISDAIN FOR STERLING!

No matter where you turn the tide of disdain was growing. Before Silver’s announcement, the head of the league’s players association had called for Silver to hit Sterling with the most severe penalties.

Per an article in CNN, “When a hint of cancer is shown, you have to cut it out immediately, and I feel that’s where the players are today,” Kevin Johnson, the former all-star who is the chairman of the National Basketball Players Association’s executive committee, told CNN’s “Erin Burnett OutFront.”

“They don’t think he’s worthy to be an owner,” said Johnson, also the mayor of Sacramento, “so whether there’s a sanction that includes a suspension, whether there’s a sanction that includes a hefty fine … the players feel very strongly that he’s not fit to be an owner and a part of this NBA family.”

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti praised the announcement.  “Those are exactly the sorts of strong statements we need to stand up against these hateful comments,” Garcetti said.

Former NBA player Thurl Bailey, a broadcaster for the Utah Jazz, told CNN that if Sterling merely received some kind of suspension, that would be an inadequate way to address the issue.

Bailey said he recognized Sterling’s voice on recordings that were posted online that are at the center of the controversy.

“For me, that was his voice,” Bailey said.

Sponsors like Adidas confirmed that they were suspending its current marketing partnership with the Clippers. That means the company will not have in-arena promotions, signage, LED boards and so forth, but Adidas will remain the official outfitter. The Adidas logo doesn’t appear on the team’s warm-ups, shooting shirts and gear, Adidas spokeswoman Laura Lamkin said in an e-mail.

BUT THERE’S A NAGGING ISSUE

Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks owner, said he doesn’t support the NBA’s forcing Donald Sterling to sell the Los Angeles Clippers after his racism scandal.  Cuban called such an action a “slipery slope.”

Cuban told the Associated Press:

“Again, there’s no excuse for his positions. There’s no excuse for what he said. There’s no excuse for anybody to support racism. There’s no place for it in our league, but there’s a very, very, very slippery slope.”

He said forcing Sterling to sell would be un-American:

“But regardless of your background, regardless of the history they have, if we’re taking something somebody said in their home and we’re trying to turn it into something that leads to you being forced to divest property in any way, shape or form, that’s not the United States of America. I don’t want to be part of that.”

Today’s verdict seems to play then un-American for Cuban.  And one of the ethical questions raised is what happens to privacy when someone elects to record your thoughts or conversation that takes place in the privacy of your home?  Should one be held accountable for private conversations that are later made public?  Should we assume, in this digital age that any conversation, especially those made in anger and in private, are fuel for public consequences?

Let me be clear…I agree with Adam Silver’s decision.  However, I am troubled by the direction of private conversations being exposed that create unintended outcomes.  Ethics dictate doing the right thing based on all the facts and circumstances.  Donald Sterling expressed his inner most feelings (however contorted) in anger with his companion.  Had he known she was recording the conversation, would he still have made his comments?  Doubtful?  I guess today you need to be careful what you say wherever you say it…cause it appears anything (and I mean anything) you say can and will be used against you.  The bar is raised and speaker beware – there’s a good chance your comments are being recorded.  But then it doesn’t seem that we’re at all concerned about recording without permission.  Maybe I’m missing something here…?