Donald Sterling banned for life, fined $2.5 million
By Jacob Rude
Apr 26, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks at a press conference before game four of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs between the Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
It was arguably the biggest moment in NBA history, and certainly for all the wrong ways. When Donald Sterling’s racist comments were made public, the NBA acted swiftly and decisively, giving a lifetime ban to Donald Sterling and issuing a $2.5 million fine. On top of that, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said during his press conference that he would do “everything in his power” to force Sterling to sell the team.
During his press conference, Silver made it clear Sterling’s actions were entirely unacceptable, and gave the harshest punishable allowable. It was nothing short of a historic event and, by nearly all accounts, Silver got it done right.