Silver (L) and Sterling (R).
CHICAGO -- Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been banned for life by the NBA as a consequence to racial comments that were attributed to him in a recorded conversation that surfaced over the weekend.
"We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling's views. They simply have no place in the NBA," league commissioner Adam Silver said in a press conference Monday afternoon in New York. Silver also levied a $2.5 million fine on Sterling, the most allowed by the NBA constitution.
'This league is far bigger than any one owner, any one coach and any one player," Silver said in announcing the harshest penalty ever meted out on an NBA team owner.
The tapes were recorded by Sterling's alleged girlfriend -- V. Stiviano -- last September but were leaked to celebrity websites TMZ and Deadspin only three days ago. Stiviano and another individual present during the recordings cooperated with the NBA lawyers who investigated the authenticity of Sterling's voice.
Silver said he will initiate steps to force a sale of the Clippers, a move he expects to get overwhelming support from the 29 other NBA owners. (Homer D. Sayson)
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