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Donald Sterling Banned for Life; Pacers Owner Endorses Decision

By William Rettig

Jan 10, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling attends the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Lakers 123-87. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling attends the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Lakers 123-87. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 10, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling attends the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Lakers 123-87. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling attends the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Lakers 123-87. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

In an unrelated story during the Indiana Pacers playoff adventures, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made his first big splash nationwide and worldwide Tuesday, when he banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the NBA for life.

Sterling, who has a history of making comments and taking actions that negatively effect others who may be minorities and apparently had a conversation recorded by his girlfriend recently that further confirmed his poor decisions and pessimistic views, is not allowed to attend any NBA games or practices for the remainder of his lifetime. That is according to Silver in a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

This decision by Silver is his first major statement as commissioner of the NBA following the retirement of longtime commissioner David Stern.

UPDATE: Pacers’ owner Herb Simon released a statement following the announcement of Sterling’s ban. “I wholeheartedly endorse Commissioner Adam Silver’s swift, strong and decisive action with regard to Donald Sterling. These past days have been both sad and disturbing for the NBA family. It is our responsibility to continue as models of the diversity and inclusion the NBA has long and justly represented.”

This was Simon’s second public response, the first coming after the audio of Sterling’s comments became public and the NBA announced its investigation.

“I want our players, our coaches and everyone in our community to know that I believe statements attributed to Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling are appalling, offensive and totally contrary to my core beliefs and everyone in our entire organization. I am confident that Commissioner Adam Silver, who will speak tomorrow, and his staff will exercise due diligence on behalf of the National Basketball Association, its players and our fans and arrive at a solution that addresses the seriousness of this situation.”

Below are a number of instant reactions via Twitter, as well as further details, concerning the decision made by Silver to ban Donald Sterling from the NBA for life:

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