Sport360° view: NBA must stand united in face of Sterling racism

Jay Asser 12:29 29/04/2014
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • All ears: Donald Sterling faces the boot for his comments as the NBA rallies against the Clippers owner.

    It has been just under three months since Adam Silver took over from David Stern as NBA commissioner and already he’s been presented with a decision that could set the tone for his tenure.

    One of his owners has put a shadow over the entire league, forcing players, coaches, fellow owners, Hall of Fame legends and even the President of the United States to draw a line in the sand.

    As a result, Silver could very well have a ‘him or us’ situation on his hands.

    So the question remains – what should be done with Donald Sterling?

    Maybe we should first ask why something hasn’t already been done about the Los Angeles Clippers owner. 

    His bigoted viewpoints on minorities, and African Americans in particular, were exposed in a recording obtained by TMZ of a phone conversation with his girlfriend.

    The more deep-rooted problem is that his discrimination has been displayed before. 

    In 2009 he was fined $2.7m for refusing to rent his properties in Los Angeles to African Americans, Koreans and Hispanics. While there was a backlash at the time, it was nothing of the sort the league has on its hands now.

    Stern, arguably the greatest sports commissioner in history, did wonders in growing the popularity of the NBA, but it wasn’t without turning a blind eye here and there.

    Now Silver has his first opportunity to leave his mark and everyone associated with the league is confident the new commissioner will do what is best and force out Sterling.

    Whether an owner can be kicked out of his own franchise is something Silver and league executives will look at under the sanctions and bylaws. Though that seems unlikely, it’s still important that the league applies pressure on Sterling to sell and stand firm in their desire to have him vacate the franchise.

    The most likely scenario is Sterling being levied the maximum fine and an indefinite suspension. As the anti-Sterling camp grows to include everyone in the league, if it hasn’t already, the Clippers owner will have no choice but to sell.

    In the meantime, players could choose to boycott games, sending a powerful message to Sterling and as a result possibly force him out quicker. That, however, could result in a breach of contracts and loss of earnings or even fines.

    Players and staff could also force moves away from the team. Clippers stars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin could take a stand and refuse to play, while head coach Doc Rivers could ask to be let go. 

    These moves would be noble, and show Sterling his business is unlikely to succeed without top players and coaches, but it would just see lower-level players don the Clippers jersey.

    The best way to face a problem like Sterling is to stand united.

    The commissioner, league officials, players, coaches, owners, everyone from team trainers to general managers will have to remain firm with their belief that he simply must go.

    This time, Sterling’s discrimination can’t be swept under the carpet.

    This time, Sterling’s comments can’t be chalked up to free speech or a man being a product of his generation.

    This time, Donald Sterling can’t get away with it.

    Recommended