NBA commissioner: Donald Sterling has been banned for life

The disgraced Clippers owner will also be fined $2.5 million

Published April 29, 2014 6:14PM (EDT)

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling     (AP)
Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling (AP)

The NBA has banned Clippers owner Donald Sterling "for life" after a recording capturing Sterling's racist rant went public. "The owners have the authority to remove [Donald Sterling] as an owner," said NBA commissioner Adam Silver in a press conference on Tuesday.

Lifetime Ban For Donald Sterling

Silver added that Sterling will be fined $2.5 million, the maximum penalty allowed. The money collected will go toward "anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts." Under the ban, Sterling will not be allowed at the Clippers facility, and will be banned from "any league activity." Silver will also advise the NBA's governance to force a sale of team.

"This has been a painful moment for all members of the NBA community," Silver said.

Upon the release of the tape, many prominent figures have condemned Sterling for his racist comments, including President Obama, Oprah and Michael Jordan.


By Prachi Gupta

Prachi Gupta is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on pop culture. Follow her on Twitter at @prachigu or email her at pgupta@salon.com.

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Adam Silver Aol_on Donald Sterling Los Angeles Clippers Nba Racism Sports