Banned. For. Life.
A short time ago, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver held a press conference in New York City to announce the punishment that he was handing down to Clippers owner Donald Sterling in light of the audio recording that leaked out over the weekend that featured Sterling making several racist remarks. During the press conference, Silver revealed that he was giving Sterling a $2.5 million fine for his actions. But more importantly, he also announced that he was banning Sterling from the NBA for life and promised to do his best to get the other 29 NBA owners to force Sterling to sell his team sometime in the near future. It's still TBD whether or not he'll actually be able to do that. But for now, the lifetime ban is making lots and lots of people happy.
How happy? Well, let's just say that shortly after Silver's press conference ended, almost every single thing that was trending on Twitter involved Silver, Sterling, and the ban. From current NBA players to members of the media to fans, everyone had an opinion on the ban that was handed to Sterling. Here are a bunch of the best reactions that we've come across since the news about Sterling getting banned hit...
Donald Sterling has had this coming to him. For a long time. For things far worse than anything he said on that tape. This is a good day.
Donald Sterling banned for life. He wanted no blacks at his games now he's banned & can't even show up, tables turned#NoRacism
WE ARE ONE!!! #NBA
Thank you Adam Silver. Thank you for taking out the trash. #bannedforlife
After 9 law suits.. Donald Sterling finally gets punished. (Not sure of this is enough for the other infractions.)
Ugh, I've spent way too much time talking and writing about Donald Sterling over the last few days. Good riddance.
Pleased with Adam Silver's decision. But, in a league overwhelmingly African-American, how was Sterling's past behavior not dealt with?
Nobody stood up for Donald Sterling... Nobody had his back. Think about that. He has $$ but what does he really have
What people are missing is that Sterling had been exposed by his actions for years... now everyone got to actually hear it.
Former NBA player Mayor Kevin Johnson said: "I hope every bigot recognizes that if he can fall, so can you!" #BannedForLife #DonaldSterling
So, Sterling's jump-off and TMZ were able to prove what skilled lawyers & all sorts of litigation couldn't for years. #YesYoureRacist
Also, 20 yrs from now, this ordeal will make for an interesting film starring an aging Russell Crowe as Donald Sterling.
Donald Sterling is banned for life!!! So in other words about 7 months
Would rather see Donald Sterling try and sit courtside next year while people throw Wonder Bread and marshmallows at him.
Small steps people. Donald Sterling lifetime ban shouldn’t be dismissed even if he’s still fittin’ to cash out.
COLD HARD TRUTH is that David Stern & the NBA failed to offer even a tiny punishment to Donald Sterling the past 10 years until it blew up
Guess who cant go to clippers games @_DonaldSterling pic.twitter.com/BnZkVtOnUE
Mr. Sterling, with your lifetime ban, you'll have more time to enjoy family reunions with your girlfriends' mixed, interracial family..
Now Donald Sterling can spend more time focusing on his wonderful marriage.
David West on Donald Sterling ban "He's 80 years old, he doesn't have that much more to life to live"
EVERY reporter in EVERY market should be asking their @NBA owner TODAY: Do YOU stand with Adam Silver to oust #DonaldSterling?
Would be shocked if the owners didn't force a sell of Sterling's franchise BUT regardless Sterling will walk away w/ a profit of 300 mil +
Hey, TNT Folks, can we have Donald Sterling "Gone Fishin'" tonight?? The people need it!
Donald Sterling was informed of this decision before the press conference. I hope someone was secretly recording his reaction.
Still, while all of those reactions were great, the Clippers may have had the best reaction of all:
This is a day that's going to go down in NBA history. How do you feel about Donald Sterling's lifetime ban?
