*FAN SUBMISSION by Zach Eiting of Minster, OH. Follow him on Twitter @zpe_34.*
Courtesy: USA Today
The NBA was thrown into turmoil after the well-known owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, Donald Sterling, made racist comments to his girlfriend, and on April 29th. NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, placed the “death penalty” on the much maligned owner, instead of just merely fining him. Sterling has been banned for life and fined $2.5 million for his racist remarks. Silver is now receiving praise and gratitude from players, coaches, and fans from around the world. Instead of just fining Sterling, the ban excludes him from ever participating in any NBA activity.
Donald Sterling was recorded during a heated argument with his girlfriend over social media. He was apparently unhappy with her after seeing her post a picture of Magic Johnson on Instagram. In an angry rant Sterling states: “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to? The little I ask you is not to promote it on that … and not to bring them to my games. Don’t put him [Johnson] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games.” This was released to the press and was immediately the downfall of Sterling.
After catching wind of these comments the Clippers players showed their protest by wearing their warm-ups inside out hiding the Clippers’ logo. Adam Silver and the NBA were able to side-step catastrophe when the players agreed not to boycott the upcoming playoff game versus the Warriors.
In an unfortunate event, the NBA was able to justify the wrongful comments of Donald Sterling. With the “death penalty” punishment many fans and players are again content with the NBA as well as the head man running the show, Adam Silver.
