Just a week ago no one knew who V. Stiviano was, but today she will go down in history as the woman who shook up the NBA. On Tuesday afternoon, during a live press conference, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver instituted a lifetime NBA ban against Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Silver. The ban was handed down after recordings of Silver’s racist rant were released to TMZ.
In addition to the ban is a $2.5 million fine, which, in the grand scheme of things, is nothing for a man worth $1.9 billion. But Silver took things one step further and said he would urge NBA owners and the board of governors to force Sterling to sell the team.
“I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA,” said Silver.
“The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful,” he added.
In a show of solidarity and likely an appreciation of the punishment, the Clippers’ website posted a simple message:
Of course the reactions across social media have been trending, and right now #Bannedforlife—in response to Silver’s laying down of the law—is the No. 1 trending topic:
So what does “banned for life” mean? From this day forward, Silver is not allowed to attend games, practices or league-owner meetings or participate in team or league business in any way.
Just think—after all the years of allegations of racism and even lawsuits, all it took was one woman’s recording to bring down a franchise. Maybe the league will now step up to the plate and do something about the lack of minority team owners. Magic Johnson can’t buy up every racist’s team.
Yesha Callahan is editor of The Grapevine and a staff writer at The Root. Follow her on Twitter.
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