Adam Silver gives Donald Sterling lifetime ban, will try to force sale

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Tuesday that Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been suspended for life from the Los Angeles Clippers and the NBA. He may not attend games, practices, or Clippers facilities. He may also not attend Board of Governors meetings. Sterling is fined an amount of $2.5 million, which will be donated to organizations promoting anti-discrimination. Silver will urge the Board of Governors to force a sale of the team.

The announcement came at a press conference with Silver in which he revealed the NBA had discovered Sterling was in fact on the recording of a conversation through an investigation. 

Here is the NBA's full press release regarding the punishment for Sterling:

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has banned Donald Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers or the NBA, it was announced today at a press conference in Manhattan.

Commissioner Silver has also fined Mr. Sterling $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the NBA Constitution. The fine money will be donated to organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts that will be jointly selected by the NBA and the Players Association.

As part of the lifetime ban, Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team. He will also be barred from attending NBA Board of Governors meetings and participating in any other league activity.

Commissioner Silver also announced that he will urge the Board of Governors to exercise its authority to force a sale of the team.

The discipline issued today is based on the Commissioner's conclusion that Mr. Sterling violated league rules through his expressions of offensive and hurtful views, the impact of which has been widely felt throughout the league.

The NBA's investigation into the alleged racist comments from Sterling came after audio tapes were released last weekend to media outlets. The move comes in the wake of public outcry over those comments released first to TMZ and then Deadspin from a recorded conversation between Sterling and his girlfriend.

The outrage over the comments grew like wildfire after the recording was first leaked Friday. Players from all across the league, current and former, spoke out against it. Kevin Johnson met with Silver on Sunday to represent the players' union. Sponsors began pulling their support from the Clippers Monday morning. The Clippers players reportedly considered boycotting Game 4, and they staged a silent protest on Sunday before Game 4 vs. the Warriors by turning their warmups inside out.

Several NBA owners issued statements Monday condemning the comments.