New York, April 30 (IANS): Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned for life by the National Basketball Association (NBA) for his racist remarks recorded in his conversation with his girlfriend.
Sterling was banned from any association with the Clippers and the NBA and was fined $2.5 million Tuesday, the maximum amount allowed under the NBA Constitution, reports Xinhua.
"Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. He will also be barred from attending NBA Board of Governors meetings and participating in any other league activity," said NBA commissioner Adam Silver here.
Silver also announced that he will urge the Board of Governors to exercise its authority to force a sale of the team.
"The owners have the authority subject to three quarters vote of the ownership group, of the partners, to remove him as an owner. I fully expect to get the support I need from the other NBA owners to remove him," said Silver, adding that Sterling acknowledged it was his voice on the tape.
This is one of the most severe punishments ever taken by a league to an owner in professional sports. Former Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott was banned from running the team in 1996 by the Major Baseball League after several racist comments.
Magic Johnson, Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan and Miami Heat player LeBron James had condemned Sterling and Kevin Johnson, Sacramento Major and National Basketball Players Association search committee chairman, said the players wanted the NBA to do the most to punish Sterling.
"I talked to several players before rendering my decision. I believe the players will be satisfied with the decision and the renderings that we've made today. We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling's views. They simply have no place in the NBA," Silver said.
Twelve companies had suspended their sponsorship with the Clippers since the scandal.
"Those marketing partners of the Clippers and partners of the entire NBA should judge us by our response to this incident and I think we've responded appropriately," Silver said adding that the penalty is specifically to Sterling and there have been no decisions about other members of the Sterling family.
"This has all happened in three days and so I'm hopeful that there will be no long term damage to the league and to the Clippers' organisation. I certainly understand other people's outrage and appropriate healing will be necessary. I can understand how upset they are and I'll do my best to bring them back into the NBA family," Silver added.