And how exactly does that banned for life thing work?

Let me begin with the obligatory disclaimer that I also find the comments of Los Angeles Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling to be abhorrent and that they are especially offensive given that the overwhelming majority of players in the NBA are of African-American descent.  So, dude, maybe go own something else, or run something else, if you don’t like black people.  They’re going to be around in the NBA.  

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But, I have to admit that I’m a little torn by the punishment.  You can be forced to sell your team because you had a private conversation in your home and were taped illegally without your knowledge and that was then leaked to TMZ?  I mean, the recording wouldn’t even be admitted in a California court because Sterling didn’t give permission to be taped.  That could be a fun trial.  NBA, “Your honor we have no evidence, only hearsay.”

As many have pointed out, we should be far more disturbed by Mr. Sterling’s actions in the past that include housing discrimination than the words of an 80 year old man who has outlived an era of accepted racial bigotry.  And, I can tell you that there are old white men in the south having this conversation at the barbershop where they don’t understand what’s wrong with what Sterling said.

And how exactly does that banned for life thing work?  I get that you can probably be stopped from showing up at a meeting, a la Don Draper’s unannounced return to SC&P by Roger’s invite.  But, what if you just walk up to the ticket counter and buy a ticket?  Who would escort Sterling out?  The police?  The ATF?  Shaq?

Bill Maher, who doesn’t really follow sports that closely, pointed out that it was only a short time ago everyone was up in arms about the NSA accessing cell phones without the user’s permission.  How is this different?  All that seems to be different now is that people who should have known Sterling is a slime now are certain of it.  And, left to its own devices, the market would punish Sterling.  Sponsors have already pulled out.  Fans can boycott.  Players can choose not to sign with the Clippers.  Etc.

But, unless Sterling sues after the board of governors’ votes, he will be punished by making in the neighborhood of $1.75 Billion on the sale of the team, half of which will then go to his ex-wife, who, by the way, was also complicit in the housing discrimination suits.  It’s a strange world and I’m pretty certain this story isn’t over yet, nor will it be very soon.