live from the kgo-tv broadcast center this is abc7 news. >> nba will weigh in for the first time on the scandal surrounding clippers owner donald sterling and the rant that set up a firestorm of controversy. >> this is a look at new york city at the podium ready for the nba commissioner who will hold a news conference to discuss the leak's investigation as soon as it begins, then, we will bring it to you in a special report. we are streaming the entire news conference right now on our website at abc7news.com.

>> thanks for join up us. as we wait for the cover we have a lot of new developments. we will check with katie marzullo. katie? >> a lot of anticipation what the commissioner has to say and will he impose punishment? players and coaches are not waiting to react and warriors coach is calling for fans. >> donald sterling left a steakhouse with his estranged wife. it is the first time he has been seen in public since the scandal broke. sterling didn't say a word but she shouted when asked if he is a racist? >> of course not. >> far cry from the statement where she said her family was devastated by her estranged husband's racist comments. it is believed sterling made the remarks in a recording with his former mistress. an nba attorney has verified the voice is his. officials are not waiting for action from the nba. >> the city of los angeles can go on record to condemn the

statements made by mr. sterling. >> coach mark jackson is calling for fans to boycott the game. >> you want to see sterling bounced? >> the commissioner will make the proper decision. i want to see him healed. >> not everyone agrees with a boycott saying it hurts the players that the show must go on. >> i have to due ploy -- do my job. one of the things i told them, the way to keep this alive is to win. >> the players are going to attempt to defy donald sterling in every imaginable way and the best way for do that is by winning. >> the naacp is asking for a meeting with the commissiontory discuss the case. the los angeles chapter has withdrawn their decision to give donald sterling a life sometime achievement award and a dozen corporate sponsors have dropped support so far of the clippers.

again, we are waiting for the news conference to begin. this is a picture from new york awaiting the nba commissioner, and this will go on shortly and we will come right to it. you can watch it online and we are streaming it at abc7news.com our reporter is in los angeles right new covering the sterling controversy and will be here later today at 5:00 and 6:00 tonight and our reporting continues on twitter at twitter@abc7newsbayarea and our news app. >> secret recordings were the downfall for a warriors assistant coach. the team fined darren erman this month. espn sources say he recorded the coaches meeting and informal discusses as well as meetings between coaches and players all without participants' knowledge.

it is unclear whether the second assistant did anything with the recordings. he has land add job scouting for the celtics. >> six people are in the hospital right now after a workplace shooting at a fedex facility in georgia, the gunman went on a rampage before turning the gun on himself. he worked for fedex at a packaging center, a security facility and that all employees have to go through a metal detector to get in. the shooter looked as if he was headed into war with bulleted strapped to his chest like rambo. three of the most severely victims have updates. >> 38-year-old male, critical, a 58-year-old female, critical a22-year-old male, critical. >> other three shooting victims are expected to be okay and no word on a motive or the

suspect's identity. happening now, president obama has declared a state of disaster in arkansas opening up federal funds to help residents and businesses recover from deadly tornadoes. >> big, big tornado. >> right in front of me. >> in alabama, lightning tore through the skies near birmingham, and this morning the death toll is rising. million officials say at least 31 people have been killed by the severe weather and others may still be trapped in what is left of their homes and more than 100 tornadoes have touched down in the past 48 hours and it is not over yet. some of the same areas in mississippi and alabama could be hit again today. >> right now, it is time to go to the special report. we have been talking about waiting for the news conference with the nba commissioner on the owner of the clippers and now to new york. >> the owner of the clippers, donald sterling have ignite add firestorm anger from players and

coaches and fans and even his own family and president obama weighed in. several sponsors say they will stop backing the clippers after these comments caught on cape were made public. >> if you want to profit that you are associating with black people, do you have to? >> that is sterling arguing with his then girlfriend v. stiviano who posted photos of herself with former nba star magic johnson on instagram. >> don't bring black people. >> do you know your whole team is black? >> do i know? i support them and give them food and clothes and cars and houses. >> the question, assuming the investigation has determined that it is indeed sterile's voice on the tapes, what kind of punishment will he have the power to levy.

>> good morning, george. the commissioner could give fines up to $1 million or a suspension that is indefinite but the big question, will he try to remove donald sterling as owner? there could be legal hurdles but that is what the mayors want such as lebron james saying he has no place in this league. the big question: will there be a fine? how many millions in could the suspense be indefinite? will donald sterling be removed, somehow, from the team? >> that is mike from espn the voice of monday night football and key announcer. as ryan pointed out, a lost players are clamoring for expulsion but it is not clear that silver has the power to do that. >> right, george, the court of

public opinion has weighed in with a strong voice: they want him out. the constitution does not provide that much power. i look for him to have the suspension and the big fine and continue to put pressure on silver from the other league owners to donald sterling to push donald sterling to get rid of the team. they heard what america has said and donald sterling should not be associated with the league gaining forward. >> sterling is a billionaire, he is 80, and does that treasure make a difference to him? he is a litigious guy. >> that is the fear for the league. the league can take whatever steps in their decision bylaws but the rest of the board of governors, the other owners give the new commission in office only three months as much power a they can but donald sterling can have this in court for some time. to put a parallel to this, an isolation where you take away the money, take away the fans,

take away the business sponsors, take away the players and coaches who do not want to work for this man and give him no other option but to sell the team. that is the down the line goal in theory. what silver says today of the short-term will appease some folks who are unhappy. >> you have the dilemma for the players, who have a playoff against the warriors and we saw that profit they had before sunday's game throwing their warm-up jackets in the middle of the court and this put them in a difficult spot. >> a brutal spot. this is what they worked for their whole lives probably for many of the players their best opportunity as a team. do they make this blanket protest and take away what has been their life dream of being an nba champion and the potential of that? they all understand that this is more important than just a game

or a season. we are trying to make a statement in general in a sport that has embraced black and white culture over the years. there is a lost pressure. doc rivers could be in the best position to handle this. >> health's listen to doc rivers. >> if he said that, i cannot tell you how upset i am and our players are. >> what game will be tonight. one of the big questions, also, ryan, is how so many of donald sterling brushes of racism have been swept under the rugby the league. he has been sued and a former g.m. also complaining of racist treatment. >> that is right. he has a past that involved different things that many consider to be indicative of racism the question: has it been growing?

we have to try to remove him or put pressure on him? or is this something where this is isolated? the idea that donald sterling could claim this was not a conversation i consented to and it would not be a conversation allowed in the state of law so would the nba try to take action? >> you have seen one of his fellow owners mark cuban suggesting it would be a bridge too far to push him out over the comments if he made that he thought were private. >> that is right much the question is, especially mark cuban an outspoken own are he did not want a situation if someone says something on their own private property or their phone line or a private conversation, could that be used against them to re's him from the team? a lot of things for adam silver to consider and he has to respond to the owners that employ him but, also, the players that make up the substance of the league.

here is magic johnson. >> he has to come down hard. he should not own a team. he should stand up and say i don't want to own the team. especially when you have african-americans representing his apartments, coming to the games, and playing for him and coping for him. that is bad for everyone. it is bad for america. i am upset. >> on the phone we have vice president of the atlanta hawks former all star and played with the clippers. you are one of the first executives in the nba to speak out against the comments. >> i agree with magic johnson wholeheartedly on the fact that you can not allow this type of behavior. the information may have been extracted illegally but, nevertheless, it got out. it is disturbing to hear an

owner that employs african-americans and you work for them, they are in your housing facilities, why do you feel that way? this is no room for that type of discrimination and that time of attitude and conduct to go on. forget that it is the nba, just society, period. you cannot allow off this. it is not just african americans who should be mad, everyone should be mad. >> there was universal condemnation. some reports are that the punishment could be an indefinite suspension from the league, a fine up to $5 million, do you think players, coaches and executives see that as appropriate? >> commissioner going through due process you have to give him the opportunity to do what he feels is right for the league and the owners and we have of the can he will do that.

like so many have said, it will be very hard to remove him from ownership but the fact you have sponsorship pulling out, you have players who don't want to play, we have coaches, doc rivers, who is unbelievable under the pressure, these people and players don't want to be around him,so how do you get respect after this stress? this has been a situation where you get once in a lifetime opportunity to achieve this and you have this distraction. >> you have played in high stake games like this, how do the clippers focus? >> the clippers players at this point --. >> i apologize, the commissioner is here right now. >> shortly after the release of an audio recording on saturday morning of a conversation that

allegedly included clippers' owner, donald sterling, the nba membered an investigation which, among other things, included an interview of donald sterling and that investigation is now complete. the central findings of the investigation are that the man whose voice is heard on the recording and on a second recording from the same conversation that was released on sunday is mr. sterling and that the hateful opinions voiced by that man are those of mr. mr. sterling. the views expressed by mr. sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. that they came from an nba owner only heightened the damage and my personal outrage. sentiments of this kind are contrary to the principles of

inclusion and respect that form the foundation of our diverse and multicultural and multiethnic league. i am personally distraught that the views expressed by mr. sterling came from within an institution that has taken such a leadership role in matters of race relations and caused current and former players, coaches, fans and partners of the nba to question their very association with the league. to them, and pioneers of the game like early lloyd, chuck cooper, sweetwater clifton, the great bill russell and particularly magic johnson, i apologize.

accordingly, effective immediately, i am banning mr. sterling for life in any association with the clippers organization or the nba. mr. sterling may not attend any nba games or practices. he may not be present at any clippers' facility. he may not participate in any business or player personnel decision involving the team. he also will be barred from attending board governors meetings or participating in any other league activity. >> i am also fining mr. sterile $2.5 million, the max amount allowed under the nba constitution. these funds will be donated to

organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts jointly selected by the nba and its players association. as for mr. sterling's ownership interest in the clippers i will urge the board of governors to exercise its authority to force a sale of the team and will do everything in my power to ensure that happens. this has been a painful moment for all members of the nba family. i appreciate the support and understanding of our players during this process. i am particularly grateful for the leadership shown by coach doc rivers, union president chris paul and mayor kevin

johnson of sacramento who has been acting as the players representative in this matter. we stand together in condemning mr. sterile's views. they simply have no place in the nba. i will take any questions. >> scott? >> bloomberg. do you or your sell sears have any clue whether mr. sterling will acquiesce to your wins to sell or do you expect a fight? >> i have no idea. >> next question, rachel? >> from the polling the owners what support do you have to force donald sterling to sell the team? >> i didn't poll the owners. i spoke to several owners and i

have their full support. >> brian on the right. >> associated press. what kind of authority do they have to force a sale? >> owners have the authority subject to three-quarters vote of the ownerships groups of the partners to remove him as an owner. >> in the middle? >> i am with inside edition, the word you used specifically was "outrage," and you were personally outraged, yet many people believe that they are outraged that for years people have then this man is a racist, slumlord and the nba hasn't done anything until today. can you please answer, why? >> i can't speak to past actions other than to say when specific evidence was property to the nba, we acted.

>> second row on the left? >> with fox news, kelly file, should someone use their teams for remarks shared in private? >> whether the remarks were officially shared in private they are now public and they represent his views. come to this decision the last couple of days and when did you decide this was the appropriate action to take? i decided this was the appropriate action and the process when the tape was first released was to appoint an investigator and it was david anders.

>> you said you would encourage owners to force the sale of the clippers and when will that action take place? >> the process will begin immediately. we will most likely use a standing committee of the nba or the equivalent of our executive committees, our advisory finance committee. i have had several discussions with our chairman of the board and the leader of the advisory finance committee and we will begin that process immediately. third row on the end, howard? >> in your conversations with donald sterling did he own up to it? and what, if anything, has he expressed approaching remorse,

regret or anything? his sentiment? >> he acknowledged it was his voice on the tape and he has not expressed to me directly any other views. >> commissioner, a message do you have for the clippers and their fans and their fan base in terms of moving forward from this point? >> my message to the clippers' fan the league is far bigger than any one owner, any one coach, any one player, this institution has been around for a long-term and it will stand for a long-term i have complete confidence in doc rivers and the basketball management of that club and the players deserve their support. they have been through an incredibly difficult incident if their lives. >> harvey on your left. >> was the punishment designed to get the message cross to

mr. sterling there is in point in him or no advantage, nothing to be gained from his continuing the ownership and in determining what the punishment would be, including the suggestion to the board, did you take into account mr. sterling's past behavior or just based on this one particular incident? >> in happening out this punishment we did not take interest account past behavior. when the board considers his overall fitness to be an owner in the nab they will take into account a lifetime of behavior. what specific power in the constitution and bylaws you exercised director ban and what specific -- was it a broad violation or specific violation

with respect to the forced sale, what specific section of the constitution covers that? and is that a broad violation or a specific violation? >> i will let the lawyers lake out the provisions of our constitution. we have the authority to act as i recommended. >> in the back row. >> commissioner, from harlem community radio. is the nba considering more african-american unitership at that point? >> could you repeat the question? >> stehpanie from harlem community radio, is the nba considering more african-american ownership at this point? >> we are always open to ownership from people from all races and ethnicities. we have an african primary owner in the league, shaquille just became owner of the kings and robinson of the spurs, and a

person color born in mumbai, indiana, is the primary owners of the kings. we have a diverse league but i like it more diverse. >> is magic johnson an option? >> you can see the commissioner of the nba give out a harsh punishment saying he ensured that it was donald sterling voice and he came out with the punishment: a ban for life from the los angeles clippers, no attendance, no games, no practice, cannot attend any meetings of the board and $2.5 million fine which he said was the max he could give out and he would recommend to the owners in the league they vote to force the sale of the clippers by donald sterling. we go right to espn. any doubt in your mine, mike, he will get that three-quarters vote of the board of governors to force the sale of the clipper

s? >> hard to forecast 29 other billionaires and their mindset but this is their group, donald sterling was their peer so their voice as owners will be the voice that decided if he stays among their pee group in any way, shape or form. sterling will follow the legal trail. adam silver follows three decades of the leadership of david stearn perhaps the most powerful commissioner of any north american professional sports league and three months in, for him to throw this decision down and put it on the owners to kick donald sterling out of the league, good for adam silver an impressive and powerful decision. leadership can often be lonely and the key decisions made at the top and under the most just any define what you are and he with a lloyd voice has said the league will not stand for this. >> a powerful statement. the commission are said he had

no idea how mr. sterling will react but he has again to court in the past. >> that is right. one of the biggest decisions in nba history and many will feel it is right but the question is, will donald sterling go quietly? some will say, does he have an antitrust lawsuit coming if he is expected to force a sale? his argument could be, well, i have had to force sale for less than market value and i suffered at the hands of the owners though got together and decided to force me out on a conversation a is not allowed in a court of law. he could come up with a lot of legal arguments if he doesn't want to go quietly. >> vice president of the atlanta hawks former player and all stall, your reaction? >> i am very excited and proud of adam, the commissioner, for handing down such a stiff penalty it is lonely at the top

as a leader. when you can make this type of decision for the betterment of the league, for the betterment of humanity, i am proud of it. >> a lifetime ban for donald sterling. back, now, to regular programming with much more tonight on "world news," with the latest any time and our sister network espn. see you tomorrow "good morning america" in the morning. >> our newscast is delayed because of the decision by the nab commissioner, adam silver, concerning the owner of the clippers but well continue the newscast until noon. kristen sze? >> a bay area congresswoman and student at a top university are reacting to the obama

administration recommendation this morning for putting an end to sexual assault on check campuses. amy hollyfield is at uc berkeley, a campus at the heart of the action. >> students spoke out and now the white house is weighing in and students here tell us it is about time that lawmakers joined in. it is great that awareness is coming to the issues because the general public has a attendance to turn the other shoulder and ignore the fact that the incidents are occurring. >> women say they feel relieved on campus and safer now the white house is turning attention to the issue of sexual assault on college campus. a task force looked into the issue and said the campuses can not turn a blind eye any longer. jackie speaker who advocateed for women released this response to the recommendations. the quick actions taken by