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National Basketball Association responds to Clippers owner Donald Sterling scandal
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This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

Apr 29, 2014
Listen 38:49
National Basketball Association responds to Clippers owner Donald Sterling scandal
Since tapes of comments allegedly made by Donald Sterling were released on Saturday, a frenzy of criticism has been focused on the owner of the Clippers.
 Adam Silver the NBA Commissioner talks to the media before the start of the Oklahoma City Thunder game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 26, 2014 in Memphis.
Adam Silver the NBA Commissioner talks to the media before the start of the Oklahoma City Thunder game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 4 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2014 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 26, 2014 in Memphis.
(
Andy Lyons/Getty Images
)

Since tapes of comments allegedly made by Donald Sterling were released on Saturday, a frenzy of criticism has been focused on the owner of the Clippers.

Since tapes of comments allegedly made by Donald Sterling were released on Saturday, a frenzy of criticism has been focused on the owner of the Clippers.

Backlash from NBA owners, current and former players, and even President Obama have taken the issue beyond the court. The NBA is still investigating the legitimacy of the audio recordings, but today league Commissioner Adam Silver took severe action to punish Sterling for his offensive comments. 

During a press conference in Manhattan, Silver announced he was banning Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers or the NBA, and fined him $2.5 million, the maximum allowed under the NBA Constitution.

RELATED: NBA bans Clippers owner Donald Sterling, fines him $2.5M

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti also discussed the tapes publicly this morning, as did the National Basketball Player’s Association, advised by Sacramento Mayor and former NBA player Kevin Johnson.

What action could the NBA take against Sterling? How will the team and the league proceed? What can players and fans expect at tonight’s Clippers vs. Warriors game at Staples Center?

Guests:

Eric Macramalla, legal analyst at TSN Sports, a sports network in Canada, and host of the radio show “Offside,” covering the business and legal side of sports.

Geoffrey Rapp, Co-Editor, The Sports Law Blog; Harold A. Anderson Professor of Law and Values, The University of Toledo

Erika Aguilar, KPCC Reporter at Staples Center

Brian Watt, KPCC Reporter at City Hall

Roland Lazenby, NBA writer and writer of the book “Michael Jordan: The Life” (Little, Brown, and Company, 2014)

Kevin Ding, Lakers Lead Writer for Bleacher Report

Credits
Host, AirTalk
Host, All Things Considered, AirTalk Friday
Senior Producer, AirTalk & FilmWeek
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Associate Producer, AirTalk & FilmWeek
Apprentice News Clerk, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, FilmWeek