Public Enemy No. 1 Donald Sterling should be shaking in his old man moccasins. With word that NBA Commissioner is looking to oust the Clippers owner after banning him from the NBA for life, the only thing keeping Sterling as the owner of the organization is a vote from the league’s other 29 owners. If 3/4’s of them vote with Silver, to axe Sterling, then the real estate magnate will be forced out of the corporation. And it’s certainly not looking good, as all 29 owners, either directly or through their organization, have expressed support for Silver. Sterling’s murky days in the NBA appear to be done.
Below, we’ve compiled each NBA’s sign of solidarity.
Atlanta: From Hawks owner Bruce Levenson, “I commend Commissioner Adam Silver in being diligent in how he handled this important matter. He acted swiftly and appropriately with the severity of the penalty and I strongly support his decision.”
Boston: “Statement from Celtics Managing Partners Wycliffe Grousbeck, H. Irving Grousbeck, Stephen Pagliuca and Robert Epstein: ‘The entire Boston Celtics organization and our ownership group fully support the decisive action taken by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver today. The Celtics stand for inclusion and equality, and we are proud to be a part of a league that shares the same values.'”
Brooklyn: “Today’s announcement by Commissioner Silver sends a strong message that racism and discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated in the NBA family. The Nets organization welcomes and fully supports the decision and remains committed to tolerance and respect for all. We can all be proud that the reaction throughout the NBA – from players, management, ownership and fans – has been unequivocal and united in condemning the scourge of racism.”
Charlotte: “I applaud NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s swift and decisive response today. He sent a powerful message that there can be zero tolerance for racism and hatred in the NBA. I’m confident that the league, our players and our fans will move on from this stronger and more unified.”
Chicago: This comes from Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, as well as Chicago Bulls President and COO Michael Reinsdorf, “We completely support Commissioner Silver’s decision today regarding Clippers owner Donald Sterling, and praise him for his prompt investigation and action. The Commissioner was correct to ban Mr. Sterling from all official NBA business, to levy the stiffest allowable fine, and we will support his recommendation to press for Mr. Sterling to relinquish his ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers franchise. We believe Commissioner Silver’s decision reflects the best interests of the NBA and public civility. The league’s decision underscores the severity and reprehensible nature of the comments attributed to Donald Sterling. These comments in no way reflect the attitude, values, and culture of the Bulls and White Sox organizations. This behavior cannot be tolerated in any form. Discrimination and prejudice of any kind have no place in sports or in our society.”
Cleveland: A statement made by Cavs Majority Owner Dan Gilbert, “It is shocking that anyone could hold the kind of offensive and feeble minded views that are being attributed allegedly to the Clippers owner, Donald Sterling. The diverse staff members of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise are unified in encouraging Commissioner Silver and the NBA to respond with swift and appropriate action consistent with a strong zero tolerance approach to this type of reprehensible behavior.”
Dallas: Even outspoken entrepreneur Mark Cuban was in agreement, tweeting,
I agree 100% with Commissioner Silvers findings and the actions taken against Donald Sterling — Mark Cuban (@mcuban) April 29, 2014
Denver: Statement made by Nuggets President & Governor Josh Kroenke, “Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and the Denver Nuggets wholeheartedly and emphatically support Commissioner Adam Silver’s decision that Donald Sterling be fined and banned for life from any involvement with the National Basketball Association. Mr. Sterling’s words have absolutely no place in our working family or in a global sport that values inclusion, diversity and tolerance of people regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation.”
Detroit: Pistons owner Tom Gores issued the following, “I am proud of Adam Silver for providing the leadership and strength necessary in this situation. He has my full support.”
Golden State: The following statement was released earlier today by Golden State Warriors Co-Owner & CEO Joe Lacob, “We applaud the firm punishment handed out today by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and appreciate the swiftness with which the NBA conducted its investigation. Similarly, we anticipate that the NBA Board of Governors will act promptly to put this chapter behind us. As I noted on Sunday, the sentiments expressed on the audio recording were completely inappropriate, unacceptable and senseless. We cannot tolerate such feelings or beliefs, not only in the NBA, but in society in general. There is absolutely no room for racism in our world, period.
Houston: Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, “This kind of behavior can’t be allowed in the NBA by owners, players or anybody. This guy has no place in the family of the NBA. Whatever it takes, we have to make sure this kind of event never happens again.”
Indiana: The Pacers modified their homepage in solidarity.
Los Angeles Lakers: Lakers governor Jeanie Buss expressed support, “In today’s announcement, Adam [Silver] was decisive, firm and compelling and showed great leadership in his condemnation of the horrible and offensive comments that have led to this action.”
Memphis: The Grizz also took the Pacers’ route.
Miami: Heat owner Micky Arison tweeted his support.
Great job Adam.The @NBA is in good hands. You have my full support.— Micky Arison (@MickyArison) April 29, 2014
Milwaukee: Milwaukee Bucks owner Herb Kohl, “We denounce the offensive, racist comments made by Mr. Sterling, and we stand with the actions Commissioner Silver has taken against him.”
Minnesota: Owner Glen Taylor expressed his unification with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, “The Timberwolves stand firmly in full support of the swift and impactful action taken today by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. His leadership and direction in this matter is completely appropriate and appreciated by the Timberwolves organization. We stand unified with Commissioner Silver today and reaffirm our organization’s zero tolerance approach to the type of reprehensible behavior which caused this action.”
New Orleans:
Statement from #Pelicans owner Tom Benson regarding Commissioner Silver’s decision: — New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 29, 2014
“In light of the serious matter facing our league, a matter that transcends sports, the New Orleans Pelicans fully support the decisions…” — New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 29, 2014
“…made today by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and will fully support his recommendations moving forward.” — New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) April 29, 2014
New York: James L. Dolan, Executive Chairman of The Madison Square Garden Company, and not someone particularly fond of dealing with the press said this, “I have been in touch with the NBA and fully support Commissioner Silver’s decision. I applaud Adam for acting quickly and decisively in appropriately addressing these disgusting and offensive comments. This kind of behavior has no place in basketball, or anywhere else, and we as a league must stand together in condemning this ignorance.”
OKC: The following statement was made by Oklahoma City Thunder Chairman Clayton I. Bennett, “The Oklahoma City Thunder strongly supports the decisive action taken today by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Ours is a league of inclusion, tolerance and fairness. The Thunder organization will continue to work to foster the tenets of diversity and respect, and build on that standard moving forward.”
Orlando: “The Orlando Magic feel the recent reprehensible comments by Donald Sterling were absolutely unacceptable and do not reflect the values and beliefs of our organization or our league. We applaud the leadership of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, as well as Head Coach Doc Rivers and his players, who are at the epicenter of the situation.”
Philadelphia: “The following is a statement from Philadelphia 76ers Managing Owner Josh Harris, in advance of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s press conference tomorrow regarding the comments attributed to Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling. ‘Without question, discrimination in any form is unacceptable and has no place in the National Basketball Association or anywhere else in society. The comments were hurtful and outrageous, and in no way reflect the values and beliefs of myself, our ownership group or the Philadelphia 76ers organization. I am confident that Commissioner Silver will undertake a thorough and thoughtful investigation into the matter.'”
Phoenix: Suns owner Robert Sarver has announced,“I applaud the actions taken today by Commissioner Silver in response to the disturbing comments made by Donald Sterling. Commissioner Silver’s decision upholds the principles of diversity, tolerance and respect for all people that the NBA and Phoenix Suns represent. The Commissioner has my full support.”
Portland: “In response to the just-announced actions by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to the racially-charged statements made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, Portland Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen has issued the following statement: ‘I completely support NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s decisive action on the Sterling issue. He exhibited great leadership, and the league is in good hands.’”
Sacramento:
#WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/H0DxN61ITK
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) April 29, 2014
San Antonio:
#WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/HDFih6JsVY — San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) April 29, 2014
Toronto: Owned byMaple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the Raptors organization responded with, “As a proud member of the National Basketball Association, we stand strongly in our belief that the comments attributed to Mr. Sterling have no place in our society or sport. Our organization will always work to contribute to a culture of diversity and acceptance in this league and fully support the actions taken today. We thank Commissioner Adam Silver, and all of the NBA players, for their leadership on this important issue.”
Utah: Greg Miller, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies which owns the Utah Jazz, tweeted the following,
The Miller family supports the action by Commissioner Silver and the NBA. There is no place for racism and hatred in our league.— Greg Miller (@GregInUtah) April 29, 2014
Washington: Wizards owner Ted Leonsis, “As I have stated, there should be zero tolerance for hatemongering. Hate speech demonstrates an ignorance that is unacceptable, and I implore all of us to help eliminate any form of discrimination”
