The last 24 hours have given us even more insight into the Donald Sterling situation. The owner of the Los Angeles Clippers fired shots back at Magic Johnson and defended his statements that were captured on TMZ, begging the question of how fast can the NBA expedite his departure from the league.
For the league’s sake, it will have to be sooner rather than later.
National Basketball Players’ Association vice president Roger Mason Jr. told Bleacher Report’s Jared Zwerling that “everything is on the table” in regards to ousting Sterling and racial tension from the league, including a players boycott.
“We could definitely boycott if that happens,” Mason Jr. said. “I could see not only Clippers players, but the league banding together.
“I don’t think we’ve ever seen a situation quite like what Sterling said and the reaction that’s happened from it. (Racial issues) haven’t been something that we thought was needed in 2014, but I think now it’s a time where it’s certainly something we’re going to look into, for sure.”
Mason said a boycott could be similar to the 2011 NBA lockout, and in all likelihood would not be resolved until an owner that does not have the last name Sterling was running the Clippers franchise.
But more so, Mason wants to not only rid Sterling from the NBA but racial issues as a whole. According to the report, the NBA and the players’ association have considered social acceptance programs between management and players. This way both parties would gain a better understanding of each other’s cultural background and upbringing.
Two other avenues the NBAPA would like to go down include a Rookie Transition Program and team workshops that focus on social equality.
The Rookie Transition Program would cover issues ranging from race, ethnicity, orientation, etc. The league has teamed with Athlete Ally, a non-profit organization that works to end homophobia and transphobia in sports through educational efforts and encourages athletes to take a stand. This program would do the same, but would be expanded to include race, too.
There is also a push to add team workshops that would focus on social equality. Social media, personal and life coaching, dealing with relationships with the opposite sex and management of a player’s media and communication skills are among the ideas that have been tossed around.
