LA Clippers Owner Donald Sterling Racist Comments Get Him Banned From NBA for Life, Clippers Owner Clipped, Fined $2.5 Million, May Have to Sell The Team

Donald Sterling has been banned from the NBA for life over racist comments that were made public this week. The NBA threw the book at LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling. He is banned from any NBA games for life and was the maximum amount allowed under the NBA Constitution, $2.5 million. Sterling is barred from any contact with his team and the league and may be forced to sell the team.

Silver added that he was encouraging the NBA board of governors to force a sale of the Clippers and that he will "do everything in my power to make sure that happens."

 NBA commissioner Adam Silver said today at a press conference."The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. ... That they came from an NBA owner only heightens the damage and my personal outrage. Sentiments of this kind are contrary to the principles of inclusion and respect that form the basis our diverse, multicultural and multiethnic league. ... We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling's views. They simply have no place in the N.B.A."

The controversy over Sterling started Friday when an audio tape was leaked by TMZ that caught Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling allegedly making racist comments.

At the press conference Silver said "The central findings of the investigation are that the man whose voice is on the recordings ... is Mr. Sterling and that the hateful feelings are those of Mr. Sterling. The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply disturbing and alarming."

"As for Mr. Sterling's ownership interest in the Clippers," Silver said. "I will urge the board of governors to force a sale of the team and will do everything in my power to ensure that happens."

The TMZ tape caught what is allegedly Sterling telling his girlfriend V. Stiviano "It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you're associating with black people. 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 ... and not to bring them to my games."

According to TMZ,  the man identified as Sterling was reacting to an Instagram photo of Stiviano posing with Lakers legend Magic Johnson.

Greg Miller, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group and owner of the Utah Jazz, released a statement saying "On behalf of the Miller family, we support the decisive action by Commissioner Silver and the NBA to reaffirm that there is no place for racism and hatred in our league," said "The Jazz organization and all the teams in the NBA should act as national leaders in promoting inclusiveness and diversity. We have a responsibility in our communities to fight against discrimination and ignorance and showcase sports as an example of respect and tolerance. While this situation has been inexcusable, I hope it serves the greater purpose of reinforcing our vigilance against this type of behavior."

Since the press conference, Johnson has tweeted in support of the decision.