Microballing: Steve Ballmer's LA Clippers

[Judge Mental13]

The fuck are you talking about?
 
When the man who was signing Mark Jackson's checks was being 100x more racist than anything he said to his girlfriend, actually ruining the lives of minorities simply because they are minorities, Jackson throws up his hands and says "oh well" but when Sterling says something racist years later he's talking about boycotting games??
 
Do you honestly not see how fucking hypocritical that is?

 

[Cellar-Door]

 
If its a lifetime ban does the NBA also take over operations?  Or can they do that as a secondary action?  If either of those is yes, Sterling is effectively out.

nope. His wife would take over day to day control, but he still owns it. Supposedly the only stipulation for the league taking over or forcing a sale is if the team can't pay their bills, which is never happening with the Clippers who make massive profits every year. I guess in 2024 the Staples Center could refuse to reup the lease which could cause financial issues for Sterling, but until then there is likely no way to "force" him to sell other than just annoying him until he gives up.

 

[Grin&MartyBarret]

The fuck are you talking about?
 
When the man who was signing Mark Jackson's checks was being 100x more racist than anything he said to his girlfriend, actually ruining the lives of minorities simply because they are minorities, Jackson throws up his hands and says "oh well" but when Sterling says something racist years later he's talking about boycotting games??
 
Do you honestly not see how fucking hypocritical that is?

That case was settled out of court. How is Jackson supposed to know what was true and what wasn't? Now there's firm evidence, and he's no longer allowed to be upset because he wasn't upset enough for you back then. Got it.

Also, the case was a decade after Sterling was signing Jackson's checks.

 

[Judge Mental13]

He wasn't upset AT ALL back then.  And if you think the fact that the case was settled out of court means that either Mark Jackson or anybody else in NBA circles didn't know exactly what the fuck Donald Sterling was all about back then you're insane. 
 
You're right about the timeline, but that doesn't really hurt my point at all. 

 

[8slim]

There were rumors of racism. There was hearsay. There were court documents in which other people claimed that Donald Sterling said racist things and there were claims by Elgin Baylor that Sterling's compensation policies were racist. Now there are recordings--actual evidence--that backs up the decades of rumors. Why are people having so much trouble seeing that distinction? No, it's not news to anybody that was paying attention that Sterling's a racist asshole, but now the ammunition necessary to do something about it exists. Is that convenient? I guess so? But why does that make the anger less genuine? Just because it's the first time you're seeing it?

 
Eh, the guy had a suit brought against him by the DOJ and he settled for a record-setting amount of money. That's not just hearsay and rumors about things said, it was discriminatory action.  No, he was not convicted, but that's pretty damn incriminating and people in sports are often severely punished for far less.
 
I'm certainly not saying nothing should be done now because nothing was done then.  And I'm not questioning anyone's sincerity in their anger.  It just raises troubling questions about why Stern, other owners, and the sports media all essentially ignored it.

 

[Grin&MartyBarret]

He wasn't upset AT ALL back then.  And if you think the fact that the case was settled out of court means that either Mark Jackson or anybody else in NBA circles didn't know exactly what the fuck Donald Sterling was all about back then you're insane. 
 
You're right about the timeline, but that doesn't really hurt my point at all. 

People in NBA circles certainly had a strong sense of what Sterling was about, but had no evidence. Now they do. And they have the public support to fuck Sterling over. I don't see the issue. Didn't do it soon enough for you? How did that trial work out for Elgin Baylor?

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

He wasn't upset AT ALL back then.  And if you think the fact that the case was settled out of court means that either Mark Jackson or anybody else in NBA circles didn't know exactly what the fuck Donald Sterling was all about back then you're insane. 
 
You're right about the timeline, but that doesn't really hurt my point at all. 

 
CA, I am, admittedly something of a Jackson fan so let me get that out there.  
 
That said, the ESPN article suggests that Jackson "heard" about the case.  I am not sure that is tantamount to him tacitly approving of Sterling's scumbag tendencies.  In fact, it suggests he was simply ignorant of them.  I follow the Warriors pretty closely and while Mark Jackson will never be considered a coaching savant and nor will he be considered an easy guy to work with (he fought with Manboobs and essentially had him reassigned this season).   He also isn't a pure as the driven snow type despite his status as a preacher - but I simply cannot believe the guy would have played for a guy he knew to be full of hatred and not spoken up about it.  Its just not like him.  
 
I honestly believe Jackson just did not know what kind of person Sterling was when he was with the Clippers nor when he was interviewed for that article.

 

[wutang112878]

nope. His wife would take over day to day control, but he still owns it. Supposedly the only stipulation for the league taking over or forcing a sale is if the team can't pay their bills, which is never happening with the Clippers who make massive profits every year. I guess in 2024 the Staples Center could refuse to reup the lease which could cause financial issues for Sterling, but until then there is likely no way to "force" him to sell other than just annoying him until he gives up.

 
Ugh, I forgot about the wife.  Who coincidentally could expedite a sale if she filed for divorce, but unfortunately she is too busy filing a lawsuit against the girlfriend.
 
There must be some shenanigans that the league could pull to force him out.  Take Prokhorov who is not exactly the ideal owner for an NBA franchise, but I have to believe even Stern & the owners made sure they had some 'out' if it came out that he was basically a mob boss in Russia. 

 

[Judge Mental13]

I honestly believe Jackson just did not know what kind of person Sterling was when he was with the Clippers nor when he was interviewed for that article.

 
Well I'll agree to disagree then.  Donald Sterling has owned the Clippers for over 30 years, he's the longest tenured owner in the entire league.  Everybody has known about him pretty much the entire time.  Jackson calling for a boycott isn't the crime of the century here but considering his previous comments I have a hard time taking his "boycott Staples Center" (especially in the middle of a playoff series with LAC) particularly seriously.

 

[Cellar-Door]

 
Ugh, I forgot about the wife.  Who coincidentally could expedite a sale if she filed for divorce, but unfortunately she is too busy filing a lawsuit against the girlfriend.
 
There must be some shenanigans that the league could pull to force him out.  Take Prokhorov who is not exactly the ideal owner for an NBA franchise, but I have to believe even Stern & the owners made sure they had some 'out' if it came out that he was basically a mob boss in Russia. 

Some lawyers think they could bullshit their way with a 3/4 vote by arguing that his bad publicity is a failure to fulfill a contractual obligation. (it's there to let them force a sale or take over a team that can't pay its debts. However they would re-purpose it. I think it's dodgy, but some legit people think that they can use it. Jon Abbey brought it up in the other thread)Of course they might just use that combined with an indefinite suspension to put the pressure on him to sell. He'll have to be overpaid though since if he got less than value for the team he could file an anti-trust suit.

 

[Brickowski]

Well, Stern and the other owners allegedly forced out Ted Stepien in 1982. 

 

[wutang112878]

Some lawyers think they could bullshit their way with a 3/4 vote by arguing that his bad publicity is a failure to fulfill a contractual obligation. (it's there to let them force a sale or take over a team that can't pay its debts. However they would re-purpose it. I think it's dodgy, but some legit people think that they can use it. Jon Abbey brought it up in the other thread)Of course they might just use that combined with an indefinite suspension to put the pressure on him to sell. He'll have to be overpaid though since if he got less than value for the team he could file an anti-trust suit.

 
I do think that has a shot to work, unfortunately I am fairly confident Sterling's lawyers can find some way to get an injunction to delay the process.  Then I am sure it becomes a long drawn out process, becomes a giant wart for the NBA and there is a real chance they lose and Sterling wins in the end and nothing was accomplished.
 
Silver needs to do something strategic and use all his available powers to make owning the Clippers as unattractive as possible to Sterling.  Maybe the owners can vote in a new NBA revenue sharing model where the Clippers get 0.0001% of the revenue.  Find a way to seize day to day operations.  Or actually, maybe the simplest thing is a Clippers boycott, have everyone in the league agree to boycott the Clippers games and create some rule where that game doesnt become a victory for the Clippers.  I dont know what to do with the Clippers players, but thats a step in the right direction.

 

[dcmissle]

 
I do think that has a shot to work, unfortunately I am fairly confident Sterling's lawyers can find some way to get an injunction to delay the process.  Then I am sure it becomes a long drawn out process, becomes a giant wart for the NBA and there is a real chance they lose and Sterling wins in the end and nothing was accomplished.
 
Silver needs to do something strategic and use all his available powers to make owning the Clippers as unattractive as possible to Sterling.  Maybe the owners can vote in a new NBA revenue sharing model where the Clippers get 0.0001% of the revenue.  Find a way to seize day to day operations.  Or actually, maybe the simplest thing is a Clippers boycott, have everyone in the league agree to boycott the Clippers games and create some rule where that game doesnt become a victory for the Clippers.  I dont know what to do with the Clippers players, but thats a step in the right direction.

The lawyer talk is nonsense. He was taped without his knowledge, and certainly without his permission, and the tape is deliberately leaked, and he willfully violates a contractual obligation? Please.

Money will drive this. Sponsors will flee. They won't come back until he is gone. Control will pass to next of kin, or the team will be sold.

Meanwhile, the League needs to suspend his ass to stop the frenzy and get the spotlight refocused on the playoffs.

 

[wutang112878]

The lawyer talk is nonsense. He was taped without his knowledge, and certainly without his permission, and the tape is deliberately leaked, and he willfully violates a contractual obligation? Please.

Money will drive this. Sponsors will flee. They won't come back until he is gone. Control will pass to next of kin, or the team will be sold.

Meanwhile, the League needs to suspend his ass to stop the frenzy and get the spotlight refocused on the playoffs.

 
I agree with the money, stopping that flow to him would prompt him to sell.  Or if the flow stops coming to the league then suddenly you are going to have a bunch of owners who will find a way to get him out. 
 
Speaking of which, has any owner said anything publicly about this?  I would have hoped someone would have said something condemning this.

 

[8slim]

 
I agree with the money, stopping that flow to him would prompt him to sell.  Or if the flow stops coming to the league then suddenly you are going to have a bunch of owners who will find a way to get him out. 
 
Speaking of which, has any owner said anything publicly about this?  I would have hoped someone would have said something condemning this.

Jordan, Mickey Arison and the new owner in Sacramento have spoken up. The other 26 have been silent publically. Even Cuban, who of course yaps his big fat mouth about EVERYTHING. I'm sure they're going to say they hushed up to let the "process" play out, but the optics are really bad.

 

[Cellar-Door]

 
I agree with the money, stopping that flow to him would prompt him to sell.  Or if the flow stops coming to the league then suddenly you are going to have a bunch of owners who will find a way to get him out. 
 
Speaking of which, has any owner said anything publicly about this?  I would have hoped someone would have said something condemning this.

Heat, kings and Spurs owners did, everyone else dodged and basically said go look at Silver's statements.

 

[Blacken]

Jordan, Mickey Arison and the new owner in Sacramento have spoken up. The other 26 have been silent publically. Even Cuban, who of course yaps his big fat mouth about EVERYTHING. I'm sure they're going to say they hushed up to let the "process" play out, but the optics are really bad.

I think Cuban's opinion can be pretty safely understood from his Twitter feed. He's not a fan.

 

[dcmissle]

Owners are probably being advised to STFU and wisely so. The important things they have to say to him should be communicated privately. You shouldn't corner wounded animals. And you certainly shouldn't do so in ways that could fuel legal arguments he might make if provoked into a court fight.

 

[wutang112878]

Jordan, Mickey Arison and the new owner in Sacramento have spoken up. The other 26 have been silent publically. Even Cuban, who of course yaps his big fat mouth about EVERYTHING. I'm sure they're going to say they hushed up to let the "process" play out, but the optics are really bad.

 

Heat, kings and Spurs owners did, everyone else dodged and basically said go look at Silver's statements.

 
I saw part of Jordan's comments and literally forgot he was an owner.  I completely missed the rest I guess I am living under a rock.
 
And I am really disappointed in Wyc, I dont see what harm there is coming out with a statement, really pathetic.

 

[singaporesoxfan]

The lawyer talk is nonsense. He was taped without his knowledge, and certainly without his permission, and the tape is deliberately leaked, and he willfully violates a contractual obligation? Please.

 
Are we sure about this? I thought it was the case, but someone upthread corrected me, and TMZ/Deadspin both claim Sterling knew he was being taped.
 

A source connected with V. Stiviano tells TMZ Sports ... the full conversation lasted approximately 1 hour.  We're told Stiviano insists it was clear to Sterling at the beginning of the conversation he was being recorded.
What's more ... our sources say Stiviano routinely recorded her conversations with Sterling as HIS "archivist."  And what's more ... she would regularly play the tapes back to him because he would often forget what he had said.
 

 
 
http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/27/donald-sterling-racist-audio-v-stiviano-recorded-clippers/

 

[8slim]

I think Cuban's opinion can be pretty safely understood from his Twitter feed. He's not a fan.

Yeah, I saw. He's against racism. Bold. He also tweeted...

@mcuban: And if you are in the media and want me to come on and explain my thoughts and position on these issues.... GTFOH = No.

I mean it's heroic that he'll talk to anyone in the media who will listen about the future of the NFL. But another owner spouting racist comments. Line drawn.

 

[dcmissle]

 
Are we sure about this? I thought it was the case, but someone upthread corrected me, and TMZ/Deadspin both claim Sterling knew he was being taped.
 
 
 
http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/27/donald-sterling-racist-audio-v-stiviano-recorded-clippers/

That's what the GF says. Not surprisingly, as she otherwise is guilty of a crime. Pretty self serving on the part of TMZ and Deadspin too to report her characterization.

In any case, it's is quite a leap to argue that the release of a conversation in which stupidity flows, even racist stupidity, is a willful breach of contract sufficient to strip a franchise. And If I were a lawyer for any of the other owners, I would strongly advise them against making such an argument, or allowing he League to advance it, for some fairly obvious reasons.

I like Lester a lot, but some times he thinks too far out of the box.

 

[ALiveH]

magic Johnson was in LA the whole time the slumlord case & the elgin Baylor case were in the local media and through all his NBA connection he was in a position to know 10x as much as any of us and we all knew sterling was a racist scumbag.  So, why does he continue to be friendly & hang out with the guy until 2 days ago?  What does that say about Magic?
 
I single out magic b/c he was the most in a position to know and was the most friendly with sterling in private, but the same comments apply to everyone else who stayed silent but now are pretending to be shocked and piling on sterling, including chris paul & doc who were happy to sign on and take his millions.
 
Also, especially including the NBA & Stern who missed a golden opportunity to hang sterling out to dry for the elgin Baylor case.
 
And, I say this as someone thinks sterling is a terrible human being and hopes for every bad thing he has coming.

 

[wutang112878]

The common thread there is money and greed.  Doc could have got his exact same contract with the Celtics, so he thought it was worthwhile to deal with Sterling to possibly have another shot at winning.  If Paul didnt resign he was going to lose some money, so once Doc was in the fold he thought it was worthwhile to deal with Sterling instead of lose say $10M or whatever it is.  I'm sure Magic had an angle he was working, there are rumors he has wanted to buy the Clippers for a while or maybe he wanted a wealthy friend because he realizes that his wealthy friends helped him get the Dodgers.  They all are guilty, they all put ethics to the side and sadly everyone has a price.  Magic's price of 'maybe he can help me out someday' is probably the cheapest without a doubt

 

[riboflav]

Instead of fans boycotting Clippers' games, wouldn't it be better if no white people showed up and gave all their tickets to people of color?

 

[Van Everyman]

Money talks.  That's why Sterling has been an owner for 30 years.  That's why none of the other owners have said shit about him during that time.  That's why they're all freaking out now -- because this is harming the brand that they all benefit from.  
 
And the reason the public is making such a big deal of it?  Because there's a big difference between hearsay, allegations, settlements, and even sworn testimony you read ... and audio you can listen to.  It makes it real for people ... average people (like us) and people who have hung around with him (like Magic).
 
Between the owners poss. expelling him and the divorce with his wife, dude will be on the road to being gone within the week. Just ask that other Master of the LA Universe, Frank McCourt.

 

[soxhop411]

NBA owners can vote him out
D“@SamAmicoFSO: According to paragraph 13 of #NBA constitution, owners have right to revoke someone else's ownership of a team by a three-fourths vote.”
https://twitter.com/SamAmicoFSO/status/460974672105205760

https://twitter.com/SamAmicoFSO/status/460974672105205760
mabrowndog is a dingus

 

[Cellar-Door]

NBA owners can vote him out
D“@SamAmicoFSO: According to paragraph 13 of #NBA constitution, owners have right to revoke someone else's ownership of a team by a three-fourths vote.”

https://twitter.com/SamAmicoFSO/status/460974672105205760 mabrowndog is a dingus
 


Yeah, this is discussed upthread, they can't do it for any reason, he has to have "Failed to meet contractual obligations".
Amico is just now tweeting something that has been up all day between Munson and the quote from Kessler in the Wall Street Journal.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

I still don't get how anyone thinks the NBA can take away his team for a private conversation.  Racist or not, I imagine Sterling and his billions will be able find a lawyer who can make this situation a lot more painful for the NBA.

 

[singaporesoxfan]

Yeah, I saw. He's against racism. Bold. He also tweeted...

@mcuban: And if you are in the media and want me to come on and explain my thoughts and position on these issues.... GTFOH = No.

I mean it's heroic that he'll talk to anyone in the media who will listen about the future of the NFL. But another owner spouting racist comments. Line drawn.

 
Cuban gave the great "free speech" defense to say that Sterling shouldn't be kicked out - "I think there's a constitution for a reason, right?" Ugh. The xkcd comic applies.
 
I really get riled up by the people who say that Doc etc. were complicit in racism by accepting Sterling's money. As though challenging someone who holds all the power (without a catalytic event like the release of these tapes to help) were so easy.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

I really get riled up by the people who say that Doc etc. were complicit in racism by accepting Sterling's money. As though challenging someone who holds all the power (without a catalytic event like the release of these tapes to help) were so easy.

 
I haven't seen people argue that Doc et al were complicit in racism but the point has been made that he and others voluntarily went to the Clippers, knowing full well that Sterling had a poor reputation.  However, I will add that others have pointed out that this is the first time that Sterling's views have truly been made public.  
 
After thinking about it, I suspect that many players and coaches in the Association are so far removed from those who sign their paychecks that its easy for them to believe they are insulated from any of the baggage that these owners carry.   

 

[NWsoxophile]

I agree with the money, stopping that flow to him would prompt him to sell. Or if the flow stops coming to the league then suddenly you are going
to have a bunch of owners who will find a way to get him out.

Speaking of which, has any owner said anything publicly about this? I would have hoped someone would have said something condemning this.

Several owners have come out pretty strongly against Sterling. Leslie Alexander for one, wants him gone.
http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=10854381

 

[Blacken]

Cuban gave the great "free speech" defense to say that Sterling shouldn't be kicked out - "I think there's a constitution for a reason, right?" Ugh. The xkcd comic applies.

He, along with Alexander, were talking about the NBA constitution. Not the Constitution of the United States.

Maybe he's not the one with a comprehension problem.

 

[BoredViewer]

Money talks.  That's why Sterling has been an owner for 30 years.  That's why none of the other owners have said shit about him during that time.  That's why they're all freaking out now -- because this is harming the brand that they all benefit from.  
 
And the reason the public is making such a big deal of it?  Because there's a big difference between hearsay, allegations, settlements, and even sworn testimony you read ... and audio you can listen to.  It makes it real for people ... average people (like us) and people who have hung around with him (like Magic).
 
Between the owners poss. expelling him and the divorce with his wife, dude will be on the road to being gone within the week. Just ask that other Master of the LA Universe, Frank McCourt.

 
You beat me to it.
 
That's what it all comes down to.  But I guess I'm even more cynical.  I think that extends all the way to the players (yes, even the sames ones that were wearing their jerseys inside out), their agents, to sponsors, to media, minority organizations, and so on... Sure - they all knew the type of guy he was... there was a LOT of information out there... but you know, it just wasn't financially beneficial to act... or I suppose you could say, more beneficial to ignore.

 

[singaporesoxfan]

He, along with Alexander, were talking about the NBA constitution. Not the Constitution of the United States.

Maybe he's not the one with a comprehension problem.

Then ESPN (which was where I got the quote) should have clarified that. Not particularly obvious to me that in an article where he's quoted as saying "But regardless of your background, regardless of the history they have, if we're taking something somebody said in their home and we're trying to turn it into something that leads to you being forced to divest property in any way, shape or form, that's not the United States of America. I don't want to be part of that" that he's defending the NBA's constitution.

But you're right: the Dallas papers have the quote in full context which makes it much clearer that the NBA's constitution is what he's talking about.

 

[The Mort Report]

Several owners have come out pretty strongly against Sterling. Leslie Alexander for one, wants him gone.
http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=10854381

 
The biggest thing I took from this article is what Alexander said to Silver:
 

 
 
However, Alexander said he suggested to Silver that all the Clippers players could be given the option to become free agents after this season, a step toward driving Sterling out of the league.

 
Imagine if this happened, and Griffin, Paul, and Jordan jumped ship?  Do you really think anyone who is any good would play for them?  The Celtics would be in a fantastic position to have Doc turn into a top 3 pick

 

[riboflav]

Then ESPN (which was where I got the quote) should have clarified that. Not particularly obvious to me that in an article where he's quoted as saying "But regardless of your background, regardless of the history they have, if we're taking something somebody said in their home and we're trying to turn it into something that leads to you being forced to divest property in any way, shape or form, that's not the United States of America. I don't want to be part of that" that he's defending the NBA's constitution.

But you're right: the Dallas papers have the quote in full context which makes it much clearer that the NBA's constitution is what he's talking about.

 
Considering the majority of NBA owners have been absolutely silent on the whole issue, I assume Cuban is not the only who feels this way.

 

[jsinger121]

 
The biggest thing I took from this article is what Alexander said to Silver:
 
 
Imagine if this happened, and Griffin, Paul, and Jordan jumped ship?  Do you really think anyone who is any good would play for them?  The Celtics would be in a fantastic position to have Doc turn into a top 3 pick

 
 
This....This Sterling situation is making this pick in a few years look amazing especially if they can't rid Sterling of his ownership. No one will want to play there. 

 

[crystalline]

 
Considering the majority of NBA owners have been absolutely silent on the whole issue, I assume Cuban is not the only who feels this way.

Cuban wants the NBA's process followed because he's worried he might be next. Seriously, if a precedent is set to kick out an owner for non-financial reasons, who is the next most likely to piss the other owners off?

This SI article is good: it lists the statements made by 16 of the owners. http://nba.si.com/2014/04/29/donald-sterling-adam-silver-nba-owners-reaction/

 

[riboflav]

Cuban wants the NBA's process followed because he's worried he might be next. Seriously, if a precedent is set to kick out an owner for non-financial reasons, who is the next most likely to piss the other owners off?

This SI article is good: it lists the statements made by 16 of the owners. http://nba.si.com/2014/04/29/donald-sterling-adam-silver-nba-owners-reaction/

 
I was wrong to say a majority have been silent - close to a majority is more accurate and still far from 3/4. Further, most of those statements simply say they rebuke what was said on the tapes. Some say Sterling should be punished like a fine or something. This is still a far cry from 3/4 voting to oust him and make him divest his property. 
 
Sterling's comments are racist and terrible but this is all getting a little out of hand. I don't see how anyone who is secretly taped having a private conversation and making no illegal comments or claims can be made to give up the ownership of anything. SoSHer pitch forks be damned!

 

[fairlee76]

The thing I find most upsetting about this case is that it seems to hinge on the object of Sterling's racism.  When he's discriminating against working-class black and Latino families, it's largely swept under the rug by the NBA power elite (owners, players, and coaches) but when he directs his racism towards one of their own, the NBA freaks out.  I get that the tape recording is the smoking gun that was not present in the DoJ lawsuit, but the outrage is not proportionate given that everyone knew he was a racist based on his previous behavior.
 
As a Celtics fan, I love what this might mean for the Clippers pick next season.  How cynical is that?

 

[soxfan121]

It is an interesting, unknowable hypothetical - what if Sterling never said (the) Magic (word)? Does this get the same amount of attention and outrage?

 

[JimBoSox9]

It is an interesting, unknowable hypothetical - what if Sterling never said (the) Magic (word)? Does this get the same amount of attention and outrage?

 
It's just my asshole, but I say yes.  One, the immediacy of the medium is probably the biggest reason this one is sticking so much, moreso than any particulars of the message. In a way, that audio is even worse than video would have been.  
 
Two, as far as the message is concerned it feels like what's really resonating isn't Magic but the specific dichotomy he drew.  There are a lot of ways to express racism, something about 'you can do whatever you want just don't be seen in public' is just...I don't know.  At a macro level of the coverage it feels like that part is landing in a way other things he could have said wouldn't have.  I guess that's an unknowable hypothetical right back at you.

 

[Devizier]

 
There's a lot of things about this that make me wonder.
 
Now... everyone is outraged because of a (apparently recent?) recording by an in someway jilted prostitute.  

 
You can stop right there.
 
I'll just take time to note the idea of "tipping points" and also to the point out that they need not be large. Sometimes just being on the record is all it takes.

 

[jose melendez]

How come no one remembered him bringing women into the locker room to gawk at his black players showering?  
 
"Players Sam Cassell, Elton Brand and Corey Maggette complained to me that Donald Sterling would bring women into the locker room after games, while the players were showering, and make comments such as, ‘Look at those beautiful black bodies.’ I brought this to Sterling’s attention, but he continued to bring women into the locker room.”

 

[fairlee76]

It is an interesting, unknowable hypothetical - what if Sterling never said (the) Magic (word)? Does this get the same amount of attention and outrage?

I agree with JimBo that the medium of the message is part of what makes this time around different (audio clip forwarded to TMZ is certainly more digestible to most of us than Federal court proceedings) but I think Sterling mentioning Magic by name really pushed this over the top.  In a league of dress codes and fines for anything even close to a fight, I think Sterling's comments would have been viewed far differently were they directed towards someone white America has labeled as a "thug."

 

[EL Jeffe]

Sterling's comments are racist and terrible but this is all getting a little out of hand. I don't see how anyone who is secretly taped having a private conversation and making no illegal comments or claims can be made to give up the ownership of anything.

This is where I am as well. By all accounts, Sterling is a terrible human being. I have no doubt that the league would be much better off with him gone, and he deserves all the public shame and ridicule that he's receiving. However, he purchased the Clippers. He legally owns the team. Forcibly removing him from ownership for saying ugly, but legal things, in a private conversation seems like an awfully chaotic and slippery slope to go down.

 

[BoredViewer]

 
You can stop right there.
 
I'll just take time to note the idea of "tipping points" and also to the point out that they need not be large. Sometimes just being on the record is all it takes.

 
I'm not sure I get your point.  There's no doubt about what specific event created the buzz.
 
I'm talking about the impact of that tipping point.  Like I said above, I think the result is that - for a whole bunch of people/entities - it is now no longer financially beneficial to ignore Sterling's racism and that's a huge factor in their present public outrage.
 
* Sterling being a bad guy is the easy part of all this.

 

[The Social Chair]

The common thread there is money and greed.  Doc could have got his exact same contract with the Celtics, so he thought it was worthwhile to deal with Sterling to possibly have another shot at winning.  If Paul didnt resign he was going to lose some money, so once Doc was in the fold he thought it was worthwhile to deal with Sterling instead of lose say $10M or whatever it is.  I'm sure Magic had an angle he was working, there are rumors he has wanted to buy the Clippers for a while or maybe he wanted a wealthy friend because he realizes that his wealthy friends helped him get the Dodgers.  They all are guilty, they all put ethics to the side and sadly everyone has a price.  Magic's price of 'maybe he can help me out someday' is probably the cheapest without a doubt

 
I couldn't disagree with this more. There are only 30 teams in the NBA, and the way the league salary system is set up makes it almost impossible for players to play where they want and get paid their full value. It's the NBA owners who let this creep stay in the league for 30 years, and we expect the workers to sacrifice a significant share of their life earnings because the NBA, as entity, did nothing to get this guy out of the league? The only people you seem to be asking to make a sacrifice are the black workers.

 

[BoredViewer]

 
I couldn't disagree with this more. There are only 30 teams in the NBA, and the way the league salary system is set up makes it almost impossible for players to play where they want and get paid their full value. It's the NBA owners who let this creep stay in the league for 30 years, and we expect the workers to sacrifice a significant share of their life earnings because the NBA, as entity, did nothing to get this guy out of the league? The only people you seem to be asking to make a sacrifice are the black workers.

 
People other than black guys play (edit --> and work) in the NBA and even for the Clippers.  There's also a rumor that some non-black players aren't automatically cool with racism.