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