First we had billionaire Los Angeles Clippers owner donald sterling making overly racist comments during a conversation that, it seems self-evident, he did not agree to have taped (which makes it inadmissible in a California court).
Then we had NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announcing that, for those comments, sterling would forever be banned from the NBA, owed a 2.5 million dollar fine and, subject to a 3/4 vote of the league\’s ownership, would be forced to sell the team.
Then we had sterling assuring us he would fight this punishment in court – no surprise at all, since sterling is a charter member of the LTL (Live To Litigate) crowd, and is known for his aggressive court fights.
Then we had Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO who is worth 20 billion dollars, offering to buy the Clippers for $2 billion – almost four times the amount paid for any other NBA team in history. (Are you impressed with the risk Ballmer is taking? Don\’t be. If the team disbanded the day after the sale, that would leave Ballmer with $18 billion….and a $2 billion writeoff.)
Then we had word that sterling had agreed to his “punishment” of a record-tying price for his team – plus a $1.5 billion dollar windfall. (Oh, the sacrifice!)
But now we have sterling claiming that the fine and the lifetime ban were supposed to be removed upon this sale, that Silver is reneging on this agreement, and not only is the sale off, but he is going to court and airing all the dirty linen he has on the NBA (which is about as easy to come by as a summer suntan in Phoenix).
sterling\’s image, of course is forever tarnished. His reputation, at least regarding his attitude toward Black people in general, is irretrievable.
But the NBA – so far – is not in the same boat as sterling. Its massive history of looking the other way at racist, sexist and homophobic comments at every level – players, coachers, owners – is largely unknown to the general public.
So what happens if sterling makes good on his threat – i.e. he goes to court and airs the NBA\’s mountain of dirty linen?
If you think he\’s been tarnished, wait until you see what happens to the NBA.
So sit tight, and wait for the next chapter in this pulp non-fiction saga. I guarantee you\’ll need plenty more sterling-Silver cleaner.
