Tuesday April 29, 2014 will go down in history as a landmark occasion.
It’s the day the disgusting, repugnant, and racist Donald Sterling, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, was finally told his bigotry will not be tolerated.
It’s the moment when one of the world’s preeminent sports leagues said no to racism.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced Sterling, who made racist and offensive comments in a conversation with his ex-girlfriend, is banned for life and has been fined $2.5 million – the maximum penalty allowed under the NBA Constitution. The money will be donated to organisations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts.
Silver is also pushing for the Board of Governors to exercise its authority to force a sale of the team.
The owners have the authority subject to a 3/4 vote to remove him as owner, meaning 22 of the 29 owners must vote in favour to have him booted out.
And that’s as great a certainty as Sterling never being awarded Humanitarian of the Year.
Silver, in his first Test as generalissimo and with the eyes of the world fixated on him, had the opportunity to do what many sporting bodies, including the NBA, have repeatedly failed to do.
The 52-year-old had the chance to make a stand, to tell the world ‘we cannot and will not tolerate racism and discrimination’.
He did just that.
Silver, who was working within certain limitations, went for the jugular.
He’s now put the ball in the owners’ court. Smart. We’ve already seen commentary from a number of owners admitting there’s no place for Sterling in the NBA. They won’t let Silver and the game down.
Sterling’s remarks are completely unacceptable, especially in the 21st century, where society has been widely educated regarding racism and discrimination.
And this isn’t the first time the owner of the Clippers since 1981 has found himself in hot water for his antiquated beliefs.
He has form.
Sadly, though, Silver’s predecessor, David Stern, commissioner for 30 years, tolerated Sterling’s bigotry.
With Stern at the helm the NBA never disciplined Sterling, despite a host of abhorrent acts. Not once.
Silver’s performance demonstrated outstanding leadership that’s rightly drawn enormous praise.
It was a display worthy of a standing ovation.
That’s how you say no to racism and hopefully some of the other sporting bodies were watching.
Time and again we’ve seen athletes stand up to racists, only for authorities to let them down by not following their lead and slapping offenders on the wrist with a feather.
UEFA and the European Tour are just two of the blundering bodies that have had the opportunity to make a strong statement – that racism will not be condoned.
Sadly, they both failed.
At Euro 2012, UEFA fined Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner $138,000 and banned him for one game for promoting a betting agency (Paddy Power) on the waistband of his underwear while celebrating a goal against Portugal.
As if the over-the-top sanction wasn’t enough, when you compare it to some of the fines UEFA has handed out for incidents relating to racism, it’s farcical.
The Serbian Football Federation was fined $23,000 for racially abusing England’s Nedum Onuoha at the European Under-21 Championship in the Netherlands, while Porto was also slapped with a $23,000 fine after some of its fans subjected then Manchester City striker, Mario Balotelli, to prolonged racist abuse, during a Europa League tie.
In May last year, the European Tour opted against disciplining Sergio Garcia after the Spaniard said: “We’ll have [Tiger Woods] ’round every night. We will serve fried chicken,” when asked in jest at a function whether he’d be inviting Woods to dinner during the US Open.
The NBA, Silver in particular, should be applauded. However, this can’t be a one-off. This has to become the norm, not the exception. While we can and should praise Silver, from now on matters similar to this one, and unfortunately they’ll still happen, should be dealt with instantly and without the attention surrounding Sterling’s shocking and shameful remarks. Harsh sanctions must be assumed, not wished for.
Nobody should be made to feel improper because of the colour of their skin.
planko
Roar Guru
If he was aware of the original taping it does change my opinion quite a bit.
planko
Roar Guru
If Mr Sterling takes it court he will win and rightfully so Swamp and Trent you are going down a slippery slope.
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
Would be over the moon if that were to happen - but it never will. Seems that racism is a one-way street.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
I agree, Trent. There is no doubt that he is what they say he is, and he has the history to prove it! I'm just scared that the line between private and public is so blurred, to the point that I even question it's existence... It's a brave new world!
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
TheCunningLinguistic - well said. You make a very good point. I agree, most of us would be guilty of making the odd racist comment without thinking twice about it. But, does that make us a racist? To me, and I suppose it's a matter of opinion, no. I consider a racist someone with a history of making bigoted, insulting comments/actions. In my opinion, there's a difference between being a racist and making a racist comment. For example, Justin Sherman, playing for the Western Bulldogs in 2011, was found guilty of racially vilifying Gold Coast Suns player, Joel Wilkinson. If that's the only incident of such nature involving Sherman, is he a racist or someone who made a racist comment/performed a racist act? It's the latter for me. Sterling has a history of racist and bigoted comments/actions and to me, he's a racist, probably beyond rehabilitation. Good conversation.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
Trent, I'm not sure I agree that the issue is secondary. Let me say from the outset, this man has despicable, antiquated attitudes, however... The erosion of privacy really has me bothered. Let's leave the question of whether he knew he was being recorded off the table for a second. Who here can say, hand on heart, that they'd be happy to have any private conversation they have ever had publicly broadcast? Who here has never said anything inappropriate in private? You choose your audience. I'm sure I've told some Irish jokes in my time, to friends- possibly even some sexist ones. I'm pretty sure most of us have. I choose not to air those in any form of public forum, out of respect for people's feelings. Is he a racist/bigot? No doubt! Does he need to be removed from the NBA? Absolutely! Do the NBA have a legal 'smoking gun' to enforce this? I'm not so sure, and therein lies the issue for me. Is the notion of privacy antiquated and outdated? God, I hope not, but it's sure starting to look like it...
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
I must say, even though I think he is a racist, bigoted dinosaur, I had an issue with how the recording was appropriated. However, if what I've read here is true about him being aware of the recording, I say: well done, NBA! Hoist by his own petard.
Cat
Roar Guru
Donald Sterling was AWARE he was being taped during the conversation that was posted on TMZ Sports, in which the L.A. Clippers owner went on a racial rant ... so claims the woman who taped him. 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. Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/27/donald-sterling-racist-audio-v-stiviano-recorded-clippers/#ixzz30PYLdFlP
BigAl
Guest
I doubt even Sterling would be stupid enough to 'go after' her, but she will lose a . . . big spending boyfriend ! And, I'm sure both of them knew and understood the basis of their relationship.
paul craggie
Guest
Ain't multiculturalism grand. Once upon a time Australia didn't need a Harmony day.
Bobbo7
Guest
Great stuff NBA. Now the AFL should get rid of a certain coach that allowed his players to be drugged.
paul craggie
Guest
What a load of self rightious bigotry.
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
Gene - I've not heard that. Did you see that reported? That he asked Stiviano to record the conversation? Sterling may be business savvy, but his beliefs are so antiquated. He needs some serious education.
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
Big Al - there's conflicting reports regards the character of Stiviano. I certainly don't know enough about her to comment. You're right, though, that issue is another matter and a secondary one. Even if Sterling can/does go after her, I reckon she'd have a queue a mile long of people backing her!
BigAl
Guest
What has Stiviano done wrong ? She sounded like a decent human being to me. We (i) don't know who leaked the tape but that is another matter. Either way, she is going to be out in the cold.
Cat
Roar Guru
A married man asking his girlfriend to record conversations so he can remember what he said and then being surprised its come out publicly? One wonders how he ever made so much money being that bloody stupid. And you do realise there was nothing illegal about the recordings right? a private person needs no legal backing to make recordings. Government does, private citizens don't.
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
Thanks for reading Swampy. The NBA, Silver especially, should be commended for their swift and decisive response. Sadly, there's been many sporting bodies that have failed to properly address this important issue. Hopefully this is a catalyst and others take note. That's how you do it.
mushi
Guest
And that matter is between Sterling and the person who recorded it right?
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
Agree with that, but believe that issue is secondary. Sterling may choose to take action against Stiviano and/or whoever leaked the audio.
Mr Biggles
Guest
Also I agree, the comments were unacceptable, but the nature in which the recording was procured leaves a bit to be desired. Where is a persons privacy these days?