((HT: TMZ Sports))
According to Harvey Levin, the Clippers owner is indefinitely suspended from his activities as owner of the NBA franchise. He is not being forced to sell the team at present and the fine that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has put forth is $2.5-million. For a man, in Sterling, that is worth almost $2-billion, a $5-million fine is like handing over a few hundred bucks...
Which the HQ feels he may have in between the cushions of the first couch he finds...
The Commish also had a forensic expert review the tapes that included a voice that was confirmed to be Sterling's. Silver offered a follow-up discussion for Sterling, but he backed out.
TMZ also says that Sterling's girlfriend, V. Stiviano, had Sterling's permission to record their conversation.
The best description that has been given to the Sterling situation and its multiple levels was given by Bomani Jones, who EIGHT YEARS AGO, exposed the Clippers owner for who he is. He pipe-bombed him yesterday on the "Dan LeBatatard Show" on ESPN Radio
Current head coach Doc Rivers has said that he will not return next season if Sterling is still around.
The HQ doesn't quite know how an indefinite suspension will play with "still being around."
Silver addressed the large group of assembled media in New York City Tuesday afternoon. Sterling had not been told of his fate before the press conference in midtown Manhattan. The investigation is complete, in Silver's terms, and the voice on the tapes is Sterling's.
Silver called the words on the tape "deeply offensive and harmful" and the fact that they came from an owner "heightened the damage." He apologized on behalf of the league and banned Sterling.
Sterling is barred from Board of Governors meetings and fined $2.5-million- the maximum amount allowed by the NBA Constitution.
Silver will urge the BoG to force a sale of the team... 22 of 30 owners would have to vote for such a transfer.
From the NBA their own self:
As part of the lifetime ban, 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.
Commissioner Silver also announced that he will urge the Board of Governors to exercise its authority to force a sale of the team.
The discipline issued today is based on the Commissioner’s conclusion that Mr. Sterling violated league rules through his expressions of offensive and hurtful views, the impact of which has been widely felt throughout the league.
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