Clippers owner banned from NBA for life for racist remarks

The owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, in the middle of a run in the NBA playoffs, has been banned from basketball for racist remarks he made.
A woman described as his mistress, V. Stiviano, recorded Donald Sterling's remarks and made them public. Sterling, among other things, said he preferred not to have blacks attend the team's games.
His team had already protested the actions of owner Donald Sterling by wearing their warm up shirts inside out before a playoff game against the Golden State Warriors. The teams are tied at two games each with the next game Wednesday in Los Angeles.
The league said it would force Sterling to sell the team, and fined him $2.5 million. It might be the biggest sports shake up since Pete Rose [Unlink] was banned from baseball in 1989 for gambling on teams.
“The central findings of the investigation are that the man whose voice is heard on the recording, and on a second recording from the same conversation — that was released on Sunday — is Mr. Sterling, and that the hateful opinions voiced by that man are those of Mr. Sterling. “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 foundation of our diverse multi-cultural and multi-ethnic league, NBA Comissioner Adam Silver said in a New York media conference.
"I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA," Silver said.
The New York Times reported that Silver discussed the decision with Coach Doc Rivers [Unlink] and guard Chris Paul [Unlink] of the Clippers. “I believe the players will be satisfied with the decision,
The Washington Post said speculation about the new owner focused on the legendary Magic Johnson [Unlink].
“Magic Johnson knows he is always welcome as an owner in this league,” Silver said when asked about him as a potential owner.
Johnson has won plaudits for his battle against AIDS. He retired from the game after reporting he was positive in 1991.
The Clippers began in the NBA as the Buffalo Braves in 1970, moved to San Diego and then Los Angeles.
Sterling bought them for $13 million in 1981 when they were struggling in San Diego and moved them to Los Angels three years later.