mr. sterling. i am banning mr. sterling for life with any association of the clippers organization or the nba. mr. sterling may not attend any nba games or practices. he may not be president at any clippers facility, and he may not participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. he will also be barred from attending nba board of governors meetings or

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 heightens 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, multi cultural, and multi ethnic league. impersonally distraught that the views expressed by mr. sterling came from within, an institution that has historically taken 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 earl lloyd, chuck couper, sweetwater clifton, the late bill russell and particularly magic johnson, i apologize. according effective immediately i'm banning mr. sterling for life from any association with the clippers organization or the nba. mr. sterling may not attend any nba games, practices. he may not be present at any clippers facilit

mr. sterling. we saw in the past, 2006, the department of justice sued donald sterling for actions of racial discrimination against african-americans and hispanics. and we saw the elgin baylor suit that was eventually thrown out. but it was a racial discrimination suit for him being treated unfairly by donald sterling. taking these words and maybe illuminating the department of justice suit, they may take that together and say, your actions showed a pattern of discrimination. but there's no proof that donald sterling has discriminated against anyone entering his stadium or anyone trying to buy tickets or season tickets. and that's the troubling part. it's words -- >> here's the commissioner, adam silver, at the microphone. >> shortly after the release of an audio recording this past saturday morning of a conversation that allegedly included clippers owner donald sterling, the nba commenced in an investigation which among other things included an interview of mr. sterling. that investigation is now c

mr. sterling and that the hateful opinions voiced by that man are those of mr. sterling. the views expressed by mr. sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. that they came from an nba owner only heightens 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, multi-cultural, and multi-ethnic league. i am personally distraught that the views expressed by mr. sterling came from within an institution that has historically 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 earl lloyd, chuck cooper, sweet water clifton, the great bill russell, and particularly magic johnson, i apologize. accordingly, effective immediately, i am banning mr. sterling for life from 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 a

mr. sterling stepped in. the core of that relationship was one of trust and that trust clearly has been damaged tremendously. you answered that because it is something i'm looking at from adam silver when he speaks today. asked that.you there are race-based sexual harassment lawsuits, housing lawsuits. when this broke, a lot of people around the nba and outside said they were not particularly surprised. i'm curious to hear adam silver address the fact that this is a guy who had a reputation for this who still was around. >> we are waiting the news conference, the milken conference is underway in los angeles. makers"ors of "market are standing by with a special guest. >> it is a special guest indeed. we are here at the global conference with reverend jesse jackson. anyoned be hard to find who was taken more of a leadership role in race issues in this country then you. what does the nba need to do? >> famous strip him, not suspend him. he is injuring too many people. injuring the global brand of the nba. he put

mr. sterling. because ultimately, it's up to, if it were to go this route, there are 30 owners, and it would take a three-fourths majority of those owners to say, yes, you need to yank the franchise, correct? >> yes. what they would do is essentially, it's called terminating the franchise. they would say that the clippers are no longer part of the nba. now, that would be essentially the nuclear option, and a practical solution to that would be in order for mr. sterling, or donald sterling -- i don't think he deserves to be called mr. -- to preserve the value of the franchise, he would sell. and for the nba to preserve the franchise, they would allow him to sell. so you would impose this termination of the franchise with the expectation you would have a practical solution in the actual sale of the team. >> okay. mr. cornwell, i'm going to come back to you. again, just watching and reminding all of our viewers here, this is running about 15 minutes or so late, as we are waiting for a po tex bombshell

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 pa

mr. sterling from the team. he won't be allow to do go to games, won't be allow to do come inside the locker room. you wonder if that means there was some agreement -- of course we don't know this -- between mr. sterling and the nba ahead of time that if he is suspended, he will walk away by himself. it's certainly embarrassing to be an owner suspended from the nba. >> brian? >> guys, we've got to back it up here. the point that dom made that hit at the top of the show is what you have to focus on. the ideas that the league is damaged. the league legally has more rights and abilities than it just if donald sterling damages the value of his own team. that's what you have to focus on. driving down the value of the clippers, which, by the way, have gone up many fold since he bought the san diego clippers for $12.7 million 20 some years ago. we've heard they're worth a billion minimum. he'll make a huge profit if they force the sale. i've spoken to some people here who find that offensive. if the league is able to s

mr. sterling about this ban or any of his representatives? if so, what has mr. sterling's reaction been to the punishment? >> i did not speak directly to his representatives about this ban. they were informed shortly before this press conference. i did not hear precisely what their reaction was. the reaction was? >> robert silverman from the daily beast. have there been any decisions about whether the immediate members of mr. sterling's family including rochelle and his, will be allowed to remain in ownership or managerial position? >> there have been no decisions by other members of the sterling family and i should say this ruling applies specifically to donald sterling and donald sterling's conduct only. >> on the right. >> commissioner, mike mccarthy. as you mentioned, over a dozen sponsors dropped the clippers. what has been a financial impact on this franchise and on the league from this >> i don't know. this is all happening in three days and so i am hopeful there will be no long-term damage to the league and clippers organization but as i said earlier i am

mr. sterling on the tapes, and you know the way mr. silver handled it was, a beautifully done. >> reporter: according to the league's constitution, the commissioner will need 75% of owners to help force sterling out. other reactions to the league's unprecedented decision have been flooding in. >> adam silver today was fantastic. personally, i thought he -- he made a decision that really was the right one. >> former nba great kevin johnson representing all the players said this ugly episode should serve as a warning. >> i hope that every bigot in this country sees what happened to mr. sterling and recognizes that if he can fall so can you. >> a great day for the nba. a great day for all people of all races. but especially, you know, african-americans. >> as the the clippers took the court tonight, the fans were celebrating what seems to have become the new clippers' motto. "we are one." for "nightline," ryan smith in los angeles. ♪ can you see >> when we come back, destination snake island. they're deadly and they're everywhere. what wer

mr. sterling? any plans to do so in the future? >> at some point in time, the los angeles branch will sit down with him and try to discuss and discern what really happened. because at this point, one of the -- made a good point, it had not been proven yet, and at some point when there have been some proof, i think that would be a legitimate time for the naacp to sit down mr. sterling and try to work out how and why he did what he did and what is he going to do in the future. well, the -- but i'm going to ask that. because it's biblical. god teaches us to forgive. and the way i look at it, after a sustained period of just proof to the african-american community that those words don't really reflect his heart, i think there's room for forgiveness. i wouldn't be a christian if i said there wasn't. so -- in the back there. >> all right, so that's leon jenkins, the president the naacp los angeles chapter, offering his thoughts on what's going on. clearly, he's no longer going to get this lifetime achievement award in a couple weeks from

mr. sterling gazillions of dollars. i've referred to this in many ways, it's interesting to me, it feel very much plantation-like, and i'm going to use that. what was said on that tape to the young lady who was the former girlfriend, and about the players is that a particular person , mr. sterling, is sitting in a seat where he believes he is a puppet master. that he's not giving these player give giving themanything, and tg their best performance. as a business truly as a business model. sports in america. the players earn what the market will bear. to have a team that was bought at $20 million, and valued at $300 million, it is just wise, and it is the best all around especially when sponsors are pulling away, it would be the best all around for mr. sterling to take his money and retire. and say the kinds of things he wants to say in the privacy of his own home. >> we have just about a minute left. kenneth, what is the best outcome? you just heard paula madison talk about her desire for donald sterile to go. with we d

mr. sterling settled the cases, he did not admit wrongdoing. but nba great kareem abdul-jabbar, a former league mvp who actually coached under sterling at the clippers back in the year 2000, he's written a blistering essay today for "time" magazine in part addressing that history. quote, what bothers me, he says, about this whole donald sterling affair is not just his racism. i'm bothered that everyone acts as if it's a huge surprise. this ridiculous conversation with his girlfriend is what puts you over the edge? that's the smoking gun? he was discriminating against black and hispanic families for years, preventing them from getting housing. it was public record. we did nothing. suddenly he says he doesn't want his girlfriend posing with magic johnson on instagram and we bring out the torchers and the rope? shouldn't we have all called for his resignation back then? kareem abdul-jabbar continues. the big question is what should be done next? i hope sterling loses his franchise. i hope whoever made this illegal tape is sent to prison. i hope the

mr. sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. effective immediately, i am banning mr. sterling for life from 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 and he may not participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. he will also be barred from attending nba board of governors meetings or participating in any other league activity. i am also fining mr. sterling $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the nba constitution. these funds will be donated to organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts that will be 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 that happens. >> that's called putting the hammer down, folks. silver got instant support from friends of the league, magic johnson. no bi

mr. sterling and bears the league" in addition to being banned for life. donald sterling was fined two- point- five million dollars. and he may be forced to sell the team -- if 75- percent of n-b-a team owners. vote to force him to do so. kron 4's j-r stone is live in los angeles. outside the staples center. with reaction from fans and the coaches. j.r.? : state warriors were down most the game and ended up losing the game. however most of the talk of here today was about race. "i told the players about the decision. i think they're happy there was a resolution and it was over. having someone who has these thoughts and runs the scheme impacted us all." while there was a game inside there was a protest outside. many are not happy that sterling is still an owner of the team. there are certainly strong opinions profanatiothroughout t. keep it here for more on the clippers controversy. in 20-minutes, our sports director gary radnich will give his take. plus, highlights from the game. we also have an interview with n-b-a hall of famer - nate thurmond. and you ca

mr. sterling? not a word for sterling himself. last seen sunday leaving a steakhouse with his estranged wife. she defended him. >> it's not true. >> not true? no, of course not. >> reporter: today former nba kevin johnson said this ugly episode should serve as a warning. >> i hope that every bigot in this country sees what happens to mr. sterling and recognizes if he can fall, so can you. >> reporter: just hours after a decision that could change basketball forever, the clippers returning to the staple center to play the warriors. while this controversy that has engulfed them has brought a discussion about race and how we treat each other, the clippers looking forward to doing what they do best tonight, winning on the basketball court. diane. >> thanks so much, ryan. and now i want to turn to mike, nba analyst for abc news, espn and cohost of pardon the interruption. mike, you said this was going to unleash something big. how big is it? >> it's about as big as it could get. we're going to have zero tolerance policy going forward o

mr. sterling. zes that if he can fall, so can you. >> so the nba shows clippers owner donald sterling the door. but is his forced departure a real slam dunk? americans reacting to how president obama is handling foreign policy. are people hoping that he commits military assets to the ukrainian crisis. >>> and severe spring weather rips through north carolina. the scary sights that sent everybody running for cover. this is "way too early." ♪ >>> hey, everybody, good morning. i'm thomas roberts. it is wednesday, april the 30th. welcome to "way too early." the show is not part of the cast of the new "star wars" movie, but we are under consideration for anchorman tres. gracias. after a due process that donald sterling, the nba commissioner adam silver delivered a swift judgment against the clippers owner for his racist remarks. >> the views expressed by mr. sterling are deeply offensive and harpful. that they came from an nba owner on

mr. sterling and you know something about mr. sterling. tell us what we need to know about this man and what your reaction was to this alleged recordings. >> two things. we do know the history of donald sterling. there's nothing new. if you're in los angeles, we're very familiar with sterling. i mean he's been sued. he's actually been accused of harassment. there have been a number of things over time about donald sterling that are well known in this community in terms of his not only bad behavior, misbehavior, but racist behavior. when you hear this kind of tape, when you hear sterling -- and that's sterling. it is him, there's no doubt about that. simply because history has condemned him. history has proven that this man is capable of doing these things. but i have to say this. beyond donald sterling, i think there is a bigger question here. the bigger question is, yes, donald sterling is a racist, yes, donald sterling is a bigot and donald sterling should be maligned for everything not only now but in the past. but also we really have t

mr. sterling. and that the hateful opinions voiced by that man are those of mr. sterling. >> the nba new commissioner, adams folder, addressing reporters yesterday on recorded comments from the owner of the clippers. he told the commissioner it was he who told his girlfriend not to bring black people to games. his girlfriend posted a photograph of herself and magic johnson. his remarks instantly sparked condemnation and calls for him to sell the team. now the commissioner has spoken. here it is in the wrong. >> effective immediately, i am banning mr. sterling for life for 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, and he may not participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. he will also be barred from attending nba board of governors meeting or participating in any other league activities. i am also finding mr. sterling $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the nba constitution. these funds will be donated

mr. sterling, give a rest. it's over, jig suspect. get out, pay the fine. sell the clippers as soon as you can. that is the a smart thing to do. that's the advice. now, sterling has already exposed himself for being a racist but now we will find out if on top of that he is a fool because only a fool drowns himself in endless litigation. is he 80 years old. he has gobs of money. he doesn't need another dime. he should just take his medicine. not fight the nba, the clippers, the players, his wife or even stevano. for the rest of us spare us all. one piece of legal advice. keep it simple. put on a statement fast tomorrow that reads: team for sale, i'm sorry and then piewf, he vanishes. that's my off-the-record comment tonight. if you have an issue you think i should take off-the-record go to gretawire and tell us about it they are back. the self-proclaimed royal couple accused of living the high life off taxpayer money. see what they're up to now. that is next. true business-grade internet comes with secure wifi for your business. it also comes with public wifi

mr. sterling for life from 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, and he may not participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. he will also be barred from attending nba board of governors meetings or participating in any other league activity. i am also fining $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the nba constitution. as for mr. sterling's ownership in the clipper, 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 that happens. >> a ma skrorty of the teams have come out in support of these tough demands. >> the views expressed by mr. sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. i am personally distraught that the view expressed by mr. sterling came from within an institution that has historically taken such a leadership role in manners of race relations. coaches, fans and partners of the nba to question their very association

mr. sterling. i do think when listening to commissioner silver today, he said he is going to move quickly. he said he is not going to wait. he has talked to a number of owners. they're very supportive. typically, the nba has a kind of board of governors meeting in july, mid-july in vegas. but i don't think he is going to wait. he is going to assemble a team immediately. >> so that will happen immediately. veteran sportscaster jim gray this afternoon was on fox. he spoke to sterling before the announcement, and sterling told jim he was adamant the team is not for sale. and that is a guy who sued the league for $100 million in '84 and got his fine reduced. are you -- are you worried this guy is going to fight? >> i think everyone expects him to fight. but i think commissioner silver clearly said today i do have the power and the authority to give somebody a lifetime ban. and when that lifetime ban happens, when that reality sits in, you're not going to be involved. then he didn't stop there. he said

mr. sterling for life from 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 and he may not participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. >> good evening from new york. nba commissioner adam silver, relatively new to the job, made that remarkable announcement today that he was banning l.a. clippers owner donald sterling for life after the league confirmed it was him on tapes that were made public in which sterling makes a slew of oh racist comments to his then girlfriend. we have word the clippers will old a pe game news conference in this hour during which they will address today's news for the first time as a team. we'll bring it to you live. in a moment we'll talk to bill maher about the news. earlier, commissioner silver made it clear that the sterling's comments have to no place in the nba. >> the views expressed are deeply offensive and harmful. that they came from an nba owner heightens the daniel and my personal outrage. as

mr. sterling for life from any association with the clippers organization or the nba. mr.

mr. sterling for life from 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 and he may not participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. >> the commissioner also saying he wants that team sold. we have a report from los angeles. william? >> reporter: megan, in effect, sterling has a title but no team. commissioner adam silver dropping the behavior from behavior considered detrimental to the league. it's the maximum punishment allowed. he can't attend practices or games. he must pay a $2.5 million fine and sell the team. if he refuses the league will take it from him. >> 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 that happens. >> reporter: now pending three quarter vote of the other 29 team owners the league will take ownership until the clippers are sold to a buyer that it approve

mr. sterling to sell his team, isn't it? like it's difficult but the truth is that if three-fourths of the nba owners think donald sterling shouldn't own the team, they can begin to move into a process to strip earsterling of his team, the clippers. it's interesting to me, i have yet to hear anybody that has come out to support what it is that donald sterling has said. >> i'm not sure that mr. sterling cares about that. >> first of all, i'm not sure that it is accurate that three-fourths of the owners can begin the process of devesting him of his team. the nba constitution and its article 13 has a laundry list of things that if an owner does them, three-fourths of the other owners can begin that process. the kinds of things that he has done in this case is not on that list. i have a copy of the constitution right here. i have just read the list. i don't see any kind of language that the other owners could fit this kind of behavior under unless this has been amended in the last couple of years, this is a document that's a coup

mr. sterling to sell the team. i'm not sure they can do that. granted, it may be in their constitution, i think there's a bigger constitution in play here. it's the u.s. constitution. doesn't he -- i think what he said was outrageous. i think it was bigoted and racist, but do they have the right to take property from him or force him to sell property? i'm not sure the u.s. constitution will override them. can i make one quick point? if mr. sterling were being honored instead by the naacp, if you were being honored by the koch brothers for lifetime achievement or the tea appear for lifetime achievement, and this came out in the wake of all that, would the media still treat him the same way, would the media still treat the naacp the same way and the koch brothers the same way, would they have the same treatment to al sharpton, that they would to say the tea party, if that was the case, i have a hard time believing that. >> the nba is coming down. they are saying they can't based on their rule force him to sell the team. we talk about this yesterda

mr. sterling. thank you so much for joining us, john lucas, and everett, our legal expert. and you say that donald sterling has a lot of cash, and he could tie it up legally for the team, and say he gives the team to his estranged wife or another family member? is that accurate? >> well, the league has wide discretion in imposing whatever penalty they believe is appropriate, but really a that is not the issue. we are one, and we are one together at the intersection of race, sports and money in this country. mr. sterling's comments are symptomatic of a situation that needs to be addressed and hopefully the nba will take the opportunity to look beyond mr. sterling's comments and address problem problems that result from that kind of mindset. >> are there problems within the nba that are still being swept under the rug, and are you referring to that or you say society? >> well, there is a whole system of the taking the young men from the time they are in high school and they force them into a system t

mr. sterling for life. >> unprecedented punishment for donald sterling. nba commissioner showing 0 tolerance for the behavior. >> good evening. the announcement as clippers and warriors face off tonight in game five of the nba playoffs >> mary bruce is live outside of the staples center in l.a. mary? >> reporter: good afternoon. well, the nba commissioner says he plans to do everything in his power to try to force donald sterling to sell the team. nba wants donald sterling gone. >> affective immediately, i am banning mr. sterling for life with any organization with the clippers organization or nba. >> the league benching him for life, slapping him with a $2.5 million fine >> the views expressed by mr. sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. >> punishment for the alleged racist rant. the recordings allegedly catch sterling lashing out at his former girlfriend. the nba confirmed the voice on the tape is that of sterling. the clippers say sterling is emphatic what is reflected is not consisted with his beliefs or feelings. viviano isn't talking. her attor

mrs. sterling may own some of it is really not going to matter that much. f donald sterling doesn't decide to sell it himself. so the nba will simply take over and auction off the team. i mean, it is unusual and awkward but that is apparently provided for in the rule. >> no notes or prepped statement here. you know, this last, you know, three or four days have been very difficult for everybody involved. and no matter what the race is, it has been difficult. and i thought adam silver today was fantastic. personally, i thought he -- he made a decision that really was the right one. that had to be made. you know, i don't think this is something that you know, we rejoice in or anything like that. you know, i told the players you know, about the decision. and you know, i think they were just happy that it was a resolution and it is over. at least, the start of it to be. and other than that, you know, i was just really proud of them. i have been proud of the players in the nba overall. i have been proud of the ownership throughout the league. and i think we're all

mr. sterling.s has nothing to do with the clippers and that if he goes or at least announces some sort of transition, sponsors will come back. is that how it works, do you think? >> absolutely. l.a. loves the clippers. they love that we have this winning basketball team that was never a winning basketball team. we love the players. we love everything. it's like cutting off a malignant body part. that would save the rest of it. >> terence, do you think that the players can force anybody's hand or is this up to the nba at this point? >> one of the dirty little secrets is that the players have always had more power than they've known. it's like dorothy in the wizard of oz with the ruby slippers. you take a situation where yesterday they had kevin johnson, the former l.a. all-star and now the mayor of sacramento giving out the list of demands and current impromptu current association head, great demands that he wants the nba to use to try to get rid of donald sterling or just to keep him in check. they

mrs. sterling can continue running the team. >> mrs. sterling is still going to the games.hich everyone was thought was in poor taste. if you know what's happening with your husband, i think most people who had any couth would say, you know what, this is a very tough time for the team, the team is out there to win a game, i'm going to be in the crowd and possibly a distraction. if i care anything about the team, i'm going to sit my butt at home and watch. >> clippers put out a statement, and i'll put it up on the screen, we wholeheartedly support and embrace the decision by the nba and commissioner adam silver today. now the healing process begins. so what do you make of that? i don't know who at the clippers put that out. obviously, the owner of the clippers didn't put it out, the general manager, the president. what's your sense? >> yeah, you know, the clippers were asked that and the p.r. people said it's from the whole organization. so there's just a lot of confusion back there right now about what is going on, who is running things. the good thing is, the coach of the

mr. sterling for life. >> donald sterling has been ban ford life. >> donald sterling acknowledged it is his voice on the tapes. >> i can't see any way. >> to exercise its authority. >> to force a sale of the team. >> donald sterling can own the clippers. >> a 3/4 vote is required for owners to remove donald sterling. >> 3/4 of a vote. vote him out. >> from ownership of the team. >> no one should be surprised. >> the worst kept secret in the national basketball association. >> this has been an issue in the nba for years. >> doesn't this really create a problem for the league. >> sterling is a problem. >> have to do something. >> effective immediately i am banning mr. sterling for life. >> donald sterling, owner of the los angeles clippers has been banned for life. >> for life. >>> i'm in for lawrence o'donnell. we begin tonight with an absence. many fans are gathering to watch the clippers play game five of the playoffs. one person will be noticeably absent, the owner, donald sterling. the man who shocked many in and out of the sports world with his racist views to. day we are reporting mr.

mr. sterling 13 declined to comment. give any doubt that the owners will vote him out of this exclusive ownership club. ivan knowledge of that a be very surprised if the don't you honestly agree because yet the stop at some point and if everyone had the same mindset that could be a problem i would think. rain what people now say race had been an open secret for long time. heat sensing his protected by a leg was your feeling about that and be very surprised to know david stern from going back and really surprise me if things look like by this would to but not and never let the law really don't know. you think about the other owners who are scared. >> : people do things on the cover of darkness hopefully know what the polls everybody will be on the same page with this. should the nba owners have off clause in the constitution that covers this kind of thing you think. again i'm not on that level but a short they would have something in there that would protect a make the owners stand up ever is governed by elite. should tha

mr. sterling said. however, there is a greater legal ambiguity. even if the owners vote to force mr. sterling to sell the team -- >> which the eh said would take a three-quarters majority. >> exactly. he gave no indication he would sill the team. >> he says he won't. >> one thing we know about sterling, one, he is a lawyer. two, he sells nothing. regardless of what happens here, whether he decides to keep the team and sells it down the road, whether he sells the team in short term, he is still going to collect a lot of money on this team. this team still belongs to donald sterling no matter what happens. the franchise is being conservatively valued at $600 million, and all likelihood the milwaukee bucks just sold for $550 billion. >> that's the bucks. >> the bucks. a poor franchise in a small market. this is a growing franchise, a successful franchise now in a marquee market. you have to figure the value of the clippers is north of one billion dollars, they can force him to sell but can they force him to a price? >> i don't know what they can force him to do. his asset -- i don't thin

mr. sterling. nba commissioner adam silver identified the voice on that controversial tape and dropped the hammer on donald sterling today for behavior considered did he tell tri mental to the league. effective immediately i am banning mr. sterling for life. >> reporter: under terms of a punish many sterling cannot attend games or practices, talk to players, coaches or management and must pay $2.5 million fine. >> my message to the clippers fan is this league is far bigger than any one owner. >> reporter: he can sell the league voluntarily -- team voluntarily. dallas behalf -- maverick owner mark cuban says he agrees 100% with the commissioners findings. >> in this country, people are allowed to be morons and be stupid and think idiotic thoughts and within an organization like the nba, we try to do what's in the best interests of the league. >> reporter: moments before the news conference, sterling insisted he will not sell the team, setting up a lengthy legal battle. jesse jackson reacted. >> i ho

mr. sterling. if he can fall, so can you. >> he's been picking on the little guy his entire career. >> it's over for you. it's terminal. >> now he knows what it's like to have people gang up on him. >> a $2.5 million fine and a lifetime ban. that was the penalty doled out this afternoon by nba commissioner adam silver as he announced the eagerly anticipated results of an investigation into racist remarks that silver confirmed were those of l.a. clippers owner donald sterling. >> the hateful opinions, voiced by that man, are those of mr. sterling. the views expressed by mr. sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. that they came from an nba owner only heightens the damage and my personal outrage. >> silver said sterling himself acknowledged that it is his voice on the tape. a recording that has created the most high profile crisis for the nba in years. the commissioner added that sterling did not, to silver's knowledge, express any remorse or other views about his remarks. and while $2.5 million i

mr. sterling. he said of mr. sterling, he has always treated me with utmost respect. he has invited me to games, always. he always told me, floyd, i want you to sit right next to me and my wife. what is your reaction to that comment coming from someone who is black? >> well, i totally respect his comments. there is nothing that i can say about it. obviously, you know, do i feel that mr. sterling is racist? i don't know. i've never spoken to the man. but what he said and what is on record, it's just a no-no. it's not going to wow the world with the public. and he has to pay the consequences. it's unfortunate, but he has to pay the consequences. if he even feels and says that, it was wrong. >> so where, though, do you stop, oscar? the orlando magic owner, has spoken out against same-sex marriage. he has donated money to causes that would oppose same-sex marriage. should the nba apply the same standards to him as they did to sterling and say look, if there is ever any evidence of you making a comment

mr. sterling. i am banning mr. sterling for life with any association of the clippers organization or the nba. mr. sterling may not attend any nba games or practices. he may not be president at any clippers facility, and he may not participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. he will also be barred from attending nba board of governors meetings or participating in any other league activity. i am also fining mr. sterling $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the nba constitution. >> good afternoon. i'm krystal ball, and we do start with the breaking news that l.a. clippers owner donald sterling has been banned for life and fined $2.5 million for that racist rant that was caught on tape. sterling cannot attend practices or games. he is still technically an owner, but commissioner adam silver said he will work through the bilaws of the league to make sure that is soon no longer the case. reaction is pouring in on this big decision. especially in los angeles where game five agai

mr. sterling -- >> reporter: donald sterling seen leaving a restaurant with his wife just hours after she publicly distanced herself from those racist comments reportedly made by her husband to his girlfriend, v. stiviano. >> if you want to broadcast that you're associating with black people. you have to? >> reporter: here, mrs. sterling seems to defend him when asked if he's a racist. >> are you a racist, mr. sterling? >> no. of course not. >> people want to know, mr. sterling. >> reporter: the shocking audio of an nba owner disparaging african-americans continued to ricochet with a steady stream of corporate sponsors withdrawing support for the clippers. state farm, mercedes-benz, red bull, virgin america to make a few. >> there is a personal, economic and social price that mr. sterling must pay for his attempt to burn taurn back the race relations. >> reporter: so far sterling and the woman at the center of it all, girlfriend v. stiviano, remained quiet since the tape first surfaced on tmz sports. that's her getting into a waiting bentley. both nba stars and fans alike continue to soun