The NBA community – its players, former players, and fans – tuned in today to watch Commissioner Adam Silver’s press conference on the actions that the league would take against Los Angles Clippers owner Donald Sterling. An audio recording of Sterling telling his girlfriend that he did not want her bringing black people to games was first posted to TMZ late last week.
After the tape was released, LeBron James and Michael Jordan took hard stands against Sterling, and Clippers players have since been placed in a difficult position as they try to remain focused on a first-round playoff matchup with the Golden State Warriors. On Sunday, the Clippers turned their warmup gear inside out in protest, and the Miami Heat followed their lead before last night’s game against the Charlotte Bobcats.
With demonstrative protests from players a certainty should Silver’s response had not been forceful enough, Silver announced that he was issuing Sterling a lifetime ban. Silver followed this by saying that that he had the full support of other owners to force a sale of the team.
Here is some of the immediate social reaction from owners, players, and former players to what was surely one of the most watched league press conferences in sports history.
I agree 100% with Commissioner Silvers findings and the actions taken against Donald Sterling
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) April 29, 2014
Commissioner Silver thank you for protecting our beautiful and powerful league!! Great leader!! #BiggerThanBasketball #StriveForGreatness
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 29, 2014
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Bans Donald Sterling For Life pic.twitter.com/pDbBcs7KHn
— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2014
Current and former NBA players now know that in Commissioner Adam Silver we have a great leader leading our league.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 29, 2014
Now let’s hope that the other 29 owners do the right thing.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 29, 2014
— Kevin Johnson (@KJ_MayorJohnson) April 29, 2014