Racist NBA owner gets unprecedented lifetime ban from league

Taking actions with little precedent in American professional sports history, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Tuesday banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the basketball league for life and said he would push hard to get other NBA owners to force Sterling to sell his franchise.

The sanctions for what the commissioner called Sterling's "deeply offensive and harmful" language about African Americans could mean the end of the Clippers' owner's tumultuous 33-year reign over one of big league sports' most inept teams just as it appears poised for championship-caliber play.

The lifetime ban, along with a $2.5-million fine, came less than four days after audio recordings released by two websites unleashed waves of anger and disdain for Sterling. The recordings captured the 80-year-old Clippers' owner telling a female friend he did not want to see her at Clippers games with black people. The NBA said its investigation confirmed that it was Sterling's voice on the recording before the league imposed its harshest penalty ever.

harrymuffin wrote:I feel like that although,  his remarks were racist.  They were made in his own home.  

He shouldn't be punished for having what he thought,  was a private conversation with his gold-digging girlfriend.

The same as confiding in your spouse or partner.  You may say things to them that you'd not say to anyone else,  because of the trust you've built with them.   And not expect your conversation to be played for the world.

I think he's an arse.  But,  everyone has their own opinion on matters,  even if those opinions offend the majority.

groomsy wrote:he is able to say what he wants, but most of his own team is black, its not harsh at all hes been known as a racist douchebag

harrymuffin wrote:The correct comment would have been, "When all of the old people of this generation die."  Not to single out one race.

Ben_Reilly wrote:First of all, Oprah never said the word "white," and she did mention that it's a problem all over the world.

Thanks for making me watch nearly five minutes of Oprah, guys ...

harrymuffin wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:First of all, Oprah never said the word "white," and she did mention that it's a problem all over the world.

Thanks for making me watch nearly five minutes of Oprah, guys ...

I didn't watch,  thank you for clarifying about the ''white'' bit.

My deepest sympathies to you,  I'll send flowers  

Ben_Reilly wrote:First of all, Oprah never said the word "white," and she did mention that it's a problem all over the world.

Thanks for making me watch nearly five minutes of Oprah, guys ...

Tesstacious wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:First of all, Oprah never said the word "white," and she did mention that it's a problem all over the world.

Thanks for making me watch nearly five minutes of Oprah, guys ...

Oh come on... you trying to tell us she was referring to black people?

Ben_Reilly wrote:

Tesstacious wrote:
Oh come on... you trying to tell us she was referring to black people?

Black people acknowledge that racism works both ways in America, she talked about an entire generation of people from the Southern U.S. "marinating" in racism.

Here's a link to a quote from a hit song by Eminem's rap group from about 10 years ago. He's the only white member of the group:

http://rapgenius.com/D12-aint-nuttin-but-music-lyrics#note-199971

Alot of rappers are living in la la land
That's why I let my dogs out on the Baha men
As bad as a life I had, I'm not mad
I don't need to be a Jackass to beat up my dad
My whole family's country, my grandmother's old fashioned
And she keeps asking me why I rap wit a honky
But granny I'm a flunky I could be a junkie
I could be hanging with the hoochies out at the club scene

Ben_Reilly wrote:

harrymuffin wrote:

I didn't watch,  thank you for clarifying about the ''white'' bit.

My deepest sympathies to you,  I'll send flowers  

Thanks HM, but could I request a bouquet of tequila instead?

Tesstacious wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

Tesstacious wrote:
Oh come on... you trying to tell us she was referring to black people?

Black people acknowledge that racism works both ways in America, she talked about an entire generation of people from the Southern U.S. "marinating" in racism.

Here's a link to a quote from a hit song by Eminem's rap group from about 10 years ago. He's the only white member of the group:

http://rapgenius.com/D12-aint-nuttin-but-music-lyrics#note-199971

Alot of rappers are living in la la land
That's why I let my dogs out on the Baha men
As bad as a life I had, I'm not mad
I don't need to be a Jackass to beat up my dad
My whole family's country, my grandmother's old fashioned
And she keeps asking me why I rap wit a honky
But granny I'm a flunky I could be a junkie
I could be hanging with the hoochies out at the club scene

"Oprah Winfrey is a well-known racist liar... she makes a lot of money from race-baiting..."  and mentioning her allegation of racism against her from the Swiss shop assistant when she wanted to buy a handbag...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRa4mdQRv60

Ben_Reilly wrote:Back on topic, I'm not supporting this guy's racism or anything, but I do think the lifetime NBA ban was harsh, or maybe more accurately I think it wasn't needed. I think a better way to handle it would have been to let the public deal with it -- a large boycott would show more convincingly how society condemn's Sterling's views.

groomsy wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:Back on topic, I'm not supporting this guy's racism or anything, but I do think the lifetime NBA ban was harsh, or maybe more accurately I think it wasn't needed. I think a better way to handle it would have been to let the public deal with it -- a large boycott would show more convincingly how society condemn's Sterling's views.

but if he does keep the team and attend games most likely noone will want to play for the clippers, its best for the NBA to ban him

lovedust wrote:
In what context did Sterling make the remarks? Was he aware he was being recorded?

As abhorrent as I find his views on race, it sounds like someone wants to get their hands on his NBA team or am I being too cynical?

groomsy wrote:

lovedust wrote:
In what context did Sterling make the remarks? Was he aware he was being recorded?

As abhorrent as I find his views on race, it sounds like someone wants to get their hands on his NBA team or am I being too cynical?

noone knows who recorded it, wasnt the girlfriend but could of been the wife