Donald Sterling: Don't Bring Black People to My Games

[wonderbread]

What I see here is a lot of histrionics. The fans and players have every right to be upset with Sterling and they should be. Some sponsors will back away which is their right as well and some will "suspend" their relationships with the team until the controversy boils over, which it will, then return their relationship to what it was pre-controversy. Other corporate sponsors will replace the ones who left. The NBA Board of Governors isn't going to remove the team from Sterling either because one, they're not stupid and they know by doing so they and the league will be involved in very costly and lengthy litigation on the matter and two, they know the same thing could happen to them and they really don't want to set that kind of precedent.

Additionally, draft picks and free agents know that if they want to play in the NBA there are a finite number of available positions in the league to do so. Thus, more for draft picks than established players they know their window is short to get into the NBA. They also don't have a lot of leverage. For those under contract for the future there's not much they can do unless they're of the caliber to be able to force a trade, otherwise their biggest concern is whether their paychecks bounce or not. This probably has a short term impact on the quality of free agent willing to come to the Clippers but the public has a short memory and this will all be forgotten by the time the next controversy hits the media.

It's actually not histrionics, just facts.

1.) Literally every corporate sponsor of the Clippers backed out today. There are none left, and they aren't coming back until Sterling is gone. No other company is going to touch this franchise until Sterling is gone because of the toxic scandal he has just brought to the team.

2.) The NBA BOG is actually allowed to vote Sterling out under the bylaws of the league. With at least fifteen owners coming out and condemning him over the past two days, it's hard to believe this won't at least be put to a vote. I thought Sterling would be able to turn it into a protracted legal battle, but it turns out he really can't do anything as long as the NBA frames it as a punishment and points out that he agreed to these bylaws when he bought the team. He can try, but he'd get his ass handed to him.

3.) There are actually reports of draft prospects not wanting to be drafted by the Clippers as a result of this scandal. Additionally, one NBA agent has publicly stated that he will steer his clients away from the Clippers as long as Sterling still owns the team. Doc has also said that he doesn't know if he can work for Sterling after this year. Can't imagine CP3 or Blake won't demand trades if he's still here. Bottom line is, this franchise will have a very difficult time keeping or obtaining players or coaches without an ownership change, because nobody wants anything to do with Sterling anymore.

4.) I really don't think this is a "short-term" thing. The atmosphere around this franchise has become so toxic so quickly that there's going to be huge problems if Sterling doesn't get out quickly. A critical mass of owners, sponsors, league officials, players, agents, coaches and fans are all against him.

time heals all wounds, the controversy will dissolve, the sponsors will come back, and the team will play and compete. No need to be blowing this out of proportions.

[CubsFanBudMan]

This got a lot bigger than a lot of people thought, especially those that said "Oh, you didn't know he's racist?"

I mean, CNN stopped talking about the missing plane so they could put Kareem on today. (Although it's possible that after a month-plus that they are at the bottom of the barrel for "Airplane" industry experts. Over.)

[bosrs1]

What I see here is a lot of histrionics. The fans and players have every right to be upset with Sterling and they should be. Some sponsors will back away which is their right as well and some will "suspend" their relationships with the team until the controversy boils over, which it will, then return their relationship to what it was pre-controversy. Other corporate sponsors will replace the ones who left. The NBA Board of Governors isn't going to remove the team from Sterling either because one, they're not stupid and they know by doing so they and the league will be involved in very costly and lengthy litigation on the matter and two, they know the same thing could happen to them and they really don't want to set that kind of precedent.

Additionally, draft picks and free agents know that if they want to play in the NBA there are a finite number of available positions in the league to do so. Thus, more for draft picks than established players they know their window is short to get into the NBA. They also don't have a lot of leverage. For those under contract for the future there's not much they can do unless they're of the caliber to be able to force a trade, otherwise their biggest concern is whether their paychecks bounce or not. This probably has a short term impact on the quality of free agent willing to come to the Clippers but the public has a short memory and this will all be forgotten by the time the next controversy hits the media.

It's actually not histrionics, just facts.

1.) Literally every corporate sponsor of the Clippers backed out today. There are none left, and they aren't coming back until Sterling is gone. No other company is going to touch this franchise until Sterling is gone because of the toxic scandal he has just brought to the team.

2.) The NBA BOG is actually allowed to vote Sterling out under the bylaws of the league. With at least fifteen owners coming out and condemning him over the past two days, it's hard to believe this won't at least be put to a vote. I thought Sterling would be able to turn it into a protracted legal battle, but it turns out he really can't do anything as long as the NBA frames it as a punishment and points out that he agreed to these bylaws when he bought the team. He can try, but he'd get his ass handed to him.

3.) There are actually reports of draft prospects not wanting to be drafted by the Clippers as a result of this scandal. Additionally, one NBA agent has publicly stated that he will steer his clients away from the Clippers as long as Sterling still owns the team. Doc has also said that he doesn't know if he can work for Sterling after this year. Can't imagine CP3 or Blake won't demand trades if he's still here. Bottom line is, this franchise will have a very difficult time keeping or obtaining players or coaches without an ownership change, because nobody wants anything to do with Sterling anymore.

4.) I really don't think this is a "short-term" thing. The atmosphere around this franchise has become so toxic so quickly that there's going to be huge problems if Sterling doesn't get out quickly. A critical mass of owners, sponsors, league officials, players, agents, coaches and fans are all against him.

And that doesn't even include the fans that will abandon the team if he's not relieved of them. Most fans are hanging on right now in hope Sterling will be ousted and in solidarity with the players. But the players won't be hanging around for long. And if they go, the fanbase collapses.

[Soarindude]

Anyone else see the comments Larry Johnson (Knicks owner) made on twitter? Looks like their are a few racist owners in the NBA.

Larry Johnson doesn't own the Knicks, but the Knicks' actual owner, Jim Dolan, is a colossal douchebag himself who should be the next to go after Sterling.

I meant to write Knicks player, not sure why I wrote owner

Anyone else see the comments Larry Johnson (Knicks former player) made on twitter? Looks like their are a few racists that have play(ed) a major role in the NBA.

fixed. not sure why I wrote owner.

[dfwabel]

This got a lot bigger than a lot of people thought, especially those that said "Oh, you didn't know he's racist?"

It is not bigger from the group which I am included in of the "Oh, you didn't know he's racist?", because it is a greater social issue* which

Kareem talked about today in Time Magazine and one which Bomani Jones wrote about in 2006 with ESPN still had 'Page 2'.

Those comments are sensational, and

*-It is an issue which this board is not equipped to address, so if you read more about Sterling and his court settlements, have at it.

[Lights Out]

What I see here is a lot of histrionics. The fans and players have every right to be upset with Sterling and they should be. Some sponsors will back away which is their right as well and some will "suspend" their relationships with the team until the controversy boils over, which it will, then return their relationship to what it was pre-controversy. Other corporate sponsors will replace the ones who left. The NBA Board of Governors isn't going to remove the team from Sterling either because one, they're not stupid and they know by doing so they and the league will be involved in very costly and lengthy litigation on the matter and two, they know the same thing could happen to them and they really don't want to set that kind of precedent.

Additionally, draft picks and free agents know that if they want to play in the NBA there are a finite number of available positions in the league to do so. Thus, more for draft picks than established players they know their window is short to get into the NBA. They also don't have a lot of leverage. For those under contract for the future there's not much they can do unless they're of the caliber to be able to force a trade, otherwise their biggest concern is whether their paychecks bounce or not. This probably has a short term impact on the quality of free agent willing to come to the Clippers but the public has a short memory and this will all be forgotten by the time the next controversy hits the media.

It's actually not histrionics, just facts.

1.) Literally every corporate sponsor of the Clippers backed out today. There are none left, and they aren't coming back until Sterling is gone. No other company is going to touch this franchise until Sterling is gone because of the toxic scandal he has just brought to the team.

2.) The NBA BOG is actually allowed to vote Sterling out under the bylaws of the league. With at least fifteen owners coming out and condemning him over the past two days, it's hard to believe this won't at least be put to a vote. I thought Sterling would be able to turn it into a protracted legal battle, but it turns out he really can't do anything as long as the NBA frames it as a punishment and points out that he agreed to these bylaws when he bought the team. He can try, but he'd get his ass handed to him.

3.) There are actually reports of draft prospects not wanting to be drafted by the Clippers as a result of this scandal. Additionally, one NBA agent has publicly stated that he will steer his clients away from the Clippers as long as Sterling still owns the team. Doc has also said that he doesn't know if he can work for Sterling after this year. Can't imagine CP3 or Blake won't demand trades if he's still here. Bottom line is, this franchise will have a very difficult time keeping or obtaining players or coaches without an ownership change, because nobody wants anything to do with Sterling anymore.

4.) I really don't think this is a "short-term" thing. The atmosphere around this franchise has become so toxic so quickly that there's going to be huge problems if Sterling doesn't get out quickly. A critical mass of owners, sponsors, league officials, players, agents, coaches and fans are all against him.

And that doesn't even include the fans that will abandon the team if he's not relieved of them. Most fans are hanging on right now in hope Sterling will be ousted and in solidarity with the players. But the players won't be hanging around for long. And if they go, the fanbase collapses.

Seriously, anyone who thinks this will all go away quietly and nothing will change simply isn't paying attention.

[wonderbread]

What I see here is a lot of histrionics. The fans and players have every right to be upset with Sterling and they should be. Some sponsors will back away which is their right as well and some will "suspend" their relationships with the team until the controversy boils over, which it will, then return their relationship to what it was pre-controversy. Other corporate sponsors will replace the ones who left. The NBA Board of Governors isn't going to remove the team from Sterling either because one, they're not stupid and they know by doing so they and the league will be involved in very costly and lengthy litigation on the matter and two, they know the same thing could happen to them and they really don't want to set that kind of precedent.

Additionally, draft picks and free agents know that if they want to play in the NBA there are a finite number of available positions in the league to do so. Thus, more for draft picks than established players they know their window is short to get into the NBA. They also don't have a lot of leverage. For those under contract for the future there's not much they can do unless they're of the caliber to be able to force a trade, otherwise their biggest concern is whether their paychecks bounce or not. This probably has a short term impact on the quality of free agent willing to come to the Clippers but the public has a short memory and this will all be forgotten by the time the next controversy hits the media.

It's actually not histrionics, just facts.

1.) Literally every corporate sponsor of the Clippers backed out today. There are none left, and they aren't coming back until Sterling is gone. No other company is going to touch this franchise until Sterling is gone because of the toxic scandal he has just brought to the team.

2.) The NBA BOG is actually allowed to vote Sterling out under the bylaws of the league. With at least fifteen owners coming out and condemning him over the past two days, it's hard to believe this won't at least be put to a vote. I thought Sterling would be able to turn it into a protracted legal battle, but it turns out he really can't do anything as long as the NBA frames it as a punishment and points out that he agreed to these bylaws when he bought the team. He can try, but he'd get his ass handed to him.

3.) There are actually reports of draft prospects not wanting to be drafted by the Clippers as a result of this scandal. Additionally, one NBA agent has publicly stated that he will steer his clients away from the Clippers as long as Sterling still owns the team. Doc has also said that he doesn't know if he can work for Sterling after this year. Can't imagine CP3 or Blake won't demand trades if he's still here. Bottom line is, this franchise will have a very difficult time keeping or obtaining players or coaches without an ownership change, because nobody wants anything to do with Sterling anymore.

4.) I really don't think this is a "short-term" thing. The atmosphere around this franchise has become so toxic so quickly that there's going to be huge problems if Sterling doesn't get out quickly. A critical mass of owners, sponsors, league officials, players, agents, coaches and fans are all against him.

And that doesn't even include the fans that will abandon the team if he's not relieved of them. Most fans are hanging on right now in hope Sterling will be ousted and in solidarity with the players. But the players won't be hanging around for long. And if they go, the fanbase collapses.

Seriously, anyone who thinks this will all go away quietly and nothing will change simply isn't paying attention.

Wait till the off season bud, I bet you wont hear anything about it except for maybe alittle around the draft. Seriously it's not the end of the world dude

[ninersdd]

[CubsFanBudMan]

Magic Johnson spoke in Gary, Indiana, tonight and told the Chicago Tribune that he's not trying to buy the Clippers:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-magic-johnson-donald-sterling-spt-0429-20140429,0,1060864.story?track=rss

[CS85]

Magic Johnson spoke in Gary, Indiana, tonight and told the Chicago Tribune that he's not trying to buy the Clippers:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-magic-johnson-donald-sterling-spt-0429-20140429,0,1060864.story?track=rss

[FiddySicks]

I won't go full-on conspiratorial, but the talk that Magic Johnson is going to buy the team after his presence with the clandestinely taping mistress catalyzed this whole mess...well, it smells funny.

This wouldn't surprise me at all. Considering her motivations in even being with Sterling are purely and obviously financial, there's no doubt that if Magic offered her a fortune to get hundreds of hours of Sterling on tape (which she alleges she has) that would be the seed enough to get the wheels turning on this ouster.

It all adds up. Clippers in a high profile playoff series, Magic denied a Lakers buyout just a month or two ago, and what do you know? Poof, racism scandal emerges.

When I read the Yahoo link above, I went all "look to see who benefits" too. Especially when it said that the Magic group has made offers/shown serious interest before.

And then Magic declaring right away that he must be removed...

It's almost as if his group can't end up with them now. Too close to the situation.

/conspiracy

That's some House of Cards level s**t right there.

[CubsFanBudMan]

This got a lot bigger than a lot of people thought, especially those that said "Oh, you didn't know he's racist?"

It is not bigger from the group which I am included in of the "Oh, you didn't know he's racist?", because it is a greater social issue* which

Kareem talked about today in Time Magazine and one which Bomani Jones wrote about in 2006 with ESPN still had 'Page 2'.

Those comments are sensational, and

*-It is an issue which this board is not equipped to address, so if you read more about Sterling and his court settlements, have at it.

So you are sticking with the "this is not news" line while pointing us to an article from 2006 that says the issue at hand "should be news"?

Hey, it's too bad that it took eight years for the rest of the world -- finger-wagging or not -- to catch up to Bomani, but here we are.

Of course the issue is bigger than this board. I'd argue most topics are. Shall we play the "you never played the game" card too or just continue having a discussion on a discussion board?

[LMU]

Magic's not trying to buy the Clippers like Russia's not trying to invade Ukraine.

[colortv]

2.) The NBA BOG is actually allowed to vote Sterling out under the bylaws of the league. With at least fifteen owners coming out and condemning him over the past two days, it's hard to believe this won't at least be put to a vote. I thought Sterling would be able to turn it into a protracted legal battle, but it turns out he really can't do anything as long as the NBA frames it as a punishment and points out that he agreed to these bylaws when he bought the team. He can try, but he'd get his ass handed to him.

Whats your source for this? I haven't read that anywhere.

[wonderbread]

And they cant just take something from somebody that is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, that is called stealing. There has to be more to it than it just being a vote to determine if someone can lose their team. They have to be paid what it is worth at a minimum

[smzimbabwe]

Should the Clippers win the title this year (I don't follow the NBA, don't know how likely this was even before this news broke), would he go out to accept the trophy?

[Lights Out]

Magic Johnson spoke in Gary, Indiana, tonight and told the Chicago Tribune that he's not trying to buy the Clippers:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-magic-johnson-donald-sterling-spt-0429-20140429,0,1060864.story?track=rss

In fairness, he has to say that. Otherwise Sterling can just make the claim that he and Stiviano were in cahoots to wrestle the franchise away from him, and without some tangible statement for him to point to as an alibi, he wouldn't really have a response to that. I highly doubt Woj just completely made up the story about his interest in the team, his sources are ironclad.

2.) The NBA BOG is actually allowed to vote Sterling out under the bylaws of the league. With at least fifteen owners coming out and condemning him over the past two days, it's hard to believe this won't at least be put to a vote. I thought Sterling would be able to turn it into a protracted legal battle, but it turns out he really can't do anything as long as the NBA frames it as a punishment and points out that he agreed to these bylaws when he bought the team. He can try, but he'd get his ass handed to him.

Whats your source for this? I haven't read that anywhere.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/10852199/challenge-donald-sterling

[dbadefense1990]

Should the Clippers win the title this year (I don't follow the NBA, don't know how likely this was even before this news broke), would he go out to accept the trophy?

They won't. The players are physiologically broken right now. They've been put into this precarious situation by outside forces and have been given the label of "America's most hated team in all of sports" right now. Because of that bastard Sterling, there is now a rally cry for other fans to absolutely despise the Clippers team, not just because of player jealousy.

You think the Warriors want to be involved in this sad saga of their opponent's owner's blatant racism? All they want to do is play basketball and win for their fans, but now, they get to carry the weight of all of America because of who they're playing.

[tp49]

What I see here is a lot of histrionics. The fans and players have every right to be upset with Sterling and they should be. Some sponsors will back away which is their right as well and some will "suspend" their relationships with the team until the controversy boils over, which it will, then return their relationship to what it was pre-controversy. Other corporate sponsors will replace the ones who left. The NBA Board of Governors isn't going to remove the team from Sterling either because one, they're not stupid and they know by doing so they and the league will be involved in very costly and lengthy litigation on the matter and two, they know the same thing could happen to them and they really don't want to set that kind of precedent.

Additionally, draft picks and free agents know that if they want to play in the NBA there are a finite number of available positions in the league to do so. Thus, more for draft picks than established players they know their window is short to get into the NBA. They also don't have a lot of leverage. For those under contract for the future there's not much they can do unless they're of the caliber to be able to force a trade, otherwise their biggest concern is whether their paychecks bounce or not. This probably has a short term impact on the quality of free agent willing to come to the Clippers but the public has a short memory and this will all be forgotten by the time the next controversy hits the media.

It's actually not histrionics, just facts.

2.) The NBA BOG is actually allowed to vote Sterling out under the bylaws of the league. With at least fifteen owners coming out and condemning him over the past two days, it's hard to believe this won't at least be put to a vote. I thought Sterling would be able to turn it into a protracted legal battle, but it turns out he really can't do anything as long as the NBA frames it as a punishment and points out that he agreed to these bylaws when he bought the team. He can try, but he'd get his ass handed to him.

Again, the B.O.G is not going to vote him out of the league. They may be allowed to under the bylaws but that doesn't mean they will do that. Why, because they all know that any one of them could wind up in the same position and they do not want to set that kind of precedent. Owners will condemn Sterling's statements publicly for the court of public opinion but in the boardroom behind closed doors they all know that something similar could very well happen to them and as I said they are not stupid and they all know this.

MLB wanted to get rid of George Steinbrenner for years and he associated with known gamblers and low lifes. The best they could do was a ban him "permanently" but reinstating him two years later. I could see something similar happening to Sterling, maybe a one year ban and a high six to low seven figure fine. Of course they finally did get rid of him when he died and come to think about it Sterling is 76 so he probably doesn't have that much more time left.

[tp49]

Is it just me or does this whole Sterling saga have TV movie of the week written all over it. Has all the elements, rich guy with young lover who he lavishes with gifts so she'll be his arm candy, a jilted wife at home who goes after said mistress who then goes scorched earth on him and the wife. Maybe we'll see it in six months on Spike or whatever TruTv became.