I am still in shock over the racist rant of Clippers owner Donald Sterling this weekend. However, what is equally astonishing is that he was set to receive the lifetime achievement award from the NAACP at its upcoming 100th anniversary gala in Los Angeles. I am dumbfounded how someone who allegedly holds such hateful views would even maintain a basketball team in Los Angeles, but the thought that he might have received an award from the NAACP is truly otherworldly. The legal options for the NBA will now take center stage in the controversy. In the meantime, there is no conclusive proof that it was Sterling on the tapes, which is now the focus of the investigation.
Over the weekend, various sites published messages from Sterling to his girlfriend (who is part African American and Mexican) that were reportedly triggered by her posting an innocent picture with Magic Johnson. Well, who would not post a picture with Magic Johnson. Clearly Donald Sterling would not. He has been quoted on various sites as telling his girlfriend V. Stiviano that “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?” (3:30) Then two hours later, he is quoted as saying “You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it on that … and not to bring them to my games.” (5:15) Then two hours later (yes, there seems to be a pattern in eruptions) there is another missive: “I’m just saying, in your lousy f******* Instagrams, you don’t have to have yourself with, walking with black people.” (7:45). Then two hours later, that is “…Don’t put him [Magic] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games.” (9:13)
Don’t bring black people to my games? He runs a team in Los Angeles where ten percent of the population is black.
The NAACP was going to give Sterling an award despite a prior lawsuit by former Clippers exec Elgin Baylor for racial discrimination (Sterling won the case but many are now reexamining the allegations for obvious reasons) What is fascinating is that this was going to be the second lifetime achievement award (I always assumed you got one per life but that is just me). The last NAACP award was given while he was being such for racial discrimination.
Sterling was born Donald Tokowitz and later changed his name to Sterling. He was born in 1934 in Chicago and graduated from California State University, Los Angeles (1956) and Southwestern University School of Law (1960) in Los Angeles. He worked as a divorce and personal injury attorney.
The team has not confirmed or denied that it is Sterling’s voice but said that it is investigating to see if anything was altered or faked. It issued a statement that the comments do not reflect Sterling’s true feelings about black fans or black people in general.
There is a call for Sterling to sell the team, though he may be less inclined to do so in a distressed position where buyers will want a discounted price.
The interesting legal question is whether the NBA can effectively move against an owner for his private racist views. If you recall, the National Baseball Association faced such a controversy with Margaret Unnewehr Schott when she was the president and CEO of Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds. Yet, only one owner has been suspended in 68 years under the NBA, though others have been fined. The rules are exceptionally vague and confidential. Commissioner Adam Silver is allowed to act to protect the “best interests” of the game. This includes the right to investigate and fine. However, trying to force the sale of a team for privately held views could raise serious legal issues. There is reportedly a power to force the sale of a team but I would be skeptical of the ability to do so without some serious legal challenges. They could clearly suspend Sterling which may be the best option if the tapes are authenticate. That would allow Sterling to keep that team and not be forced into a distress sale (and likely litigation with the NBA).
I am also curious as to how this tape was made. I believe that California is a two party consent state. The question is whether the taping violated the law. This is likely to get even messier as we drill down on these facts.
Source: USA Today
SWM, looks like he’s really getting a well deserved spanking. Looks like racism is so toxic now that it will bring down even some very rich and powerful and make even Fox’s Hannity back peddle furiously. “And that’s a good thing” as Martha Stewart says.
“Clippers Owner Donald Sterling Fined $2.5M and Banned for Life by NBA
Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling will be banned for life and fined $2.5 million for racist cmoments, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced Tuesday.
The move comes after days of outrage at ugly words attributed to Sterling from a taped conversation with an ex-girlfriend.
The comments, where the owner seemed to say he didn’t want his much-younger girlfriend hanging out with Black people on Instagram or bringing them to games, were first by TMZ and then in another recording posted on the website Deadspin.
The NBA had said if it was able to authenticate the tapes, but Sterling’s wife told KABC-TV in Los Angeles that it was her husband on the recordings.” NBC news
I personally thought it was a pretty good analogy. 🙂
Byron – you may well be right. However, there is a long way to go before it gets sold. Not sure the NBA can force Sterling to sell to a particular party, but I think they can stop him from selling to particular parties.
Deletion notice: A comment by Byron has been deleted for profane content.
Byron – according to Sports Illustrated the most they can do, unless they can prove that racism was part of the team structure, is fine him. I really don’t follow the NBA that much, so I do not know the racial makeup of either the team or the coaching staff. SI thought they would have a hard time taking the team from him.
Paul,
for what it’s worth, you are a fool.
someone on the radio just put forth a theory that Sterling was set up so that the Clippers could change hands.
Everyone in the NBA knew he was a racist, this theory makes some sense in light of the fact that the Clippers are now a valuable commodity.
It will be interesting to see how this works out.
Yes, Paul. You have found it.
“Sterling is also Jewish, again, for what it’s worth”.
That is not anti-Semitic. It seems to be a statement of fact, with a disclaimer, that it has no value. The following statement says that it appears he is pregnant. I think you are being hyper-sensitive.
Revision of 12:14 comment
I should have said:
when is ethnicity a liability.?
The next line of the article.
By the looks of the photo below, Sterling may also be pregnant
Paul,
Although an apology would be nice.
Paul,
Okay. *sigh*
Since you have repeatedly told me that you have gone over them all and you are unable to find the offending link ….
http://thecount.com/2014/04/27/for-what-its-worth-donald-sterling-is-a-democrat/
I hope you don’t require a further explanation.
Is this the anti-Semitic statement you are complaining about?
L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling, despite what some commentators and political pundits are saying, is in fact a Democrat, according to campaign contribution records. Sterling is also Jewish, again, for what it’s worth.
SL
P.S. he is a ardent opponent of political correctness and likes to push that envelope by sometimes using offensive, and to my mind – quite shocking, ethnic slurs. I hope he will stop doing that.
SL
I don’t think Mr. Spinelli is an anti-Semite. A self-confessed ‘ball buster”, he sometimes gets carried away in an attempt to be clever and authoritative.
Al Zheimer:
Show some evidence that backs that statement up.
Annie,
I cop to telling Paul what to do in this instance:
feynman says:
“Further, anyone who posts a link whose author is anti-Semitic, should OWN it and apologize for doing so”
Speaking of which you have yet to point out just which link is allegedly anti-Semitic? And how?
Spinelli, you failed to respond to my point about your use, as an outsider, of “tribe” and, more importantly, about the hole in your “theory” that shared ethnicity accounts for Stern’s having failed to boot Sterling. Your statement that your theory is not bigoted does not amount to a response bu to a kid’s “nuh-uh” rebuttal when that’s all s/he’s got. (And what in the world does your being a sports fan or where you spend your winters have to do with any of this??)
Mr. Spinelli says:
” ethnicity is a double edged sword. It can be a liability or an asset. ”
I do not understand. Which ethnicity is a liability?
Note to readers
Sarah Silverman is a comedian. She writes funny books. If I were a curious person, I might want to check out the context.
Silverman is also known for her outrageous claims. She claimed some poor agent had molested her. It was not funny. You ought to be a curious person because you might learn something new.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2014/04/donald_sterling_s_racist_history_the_l_a_clippers_owner_hurt_more_minorities.html “What matters is that he acts on his despicable views.”