[NBA Gossip] Donald Sterling Hates the Blacks, Including Magic

Free market at work in all cases except the recording of the conversation, which supposedly was done with his knowledge and was legal. You should be a fan of this - it's how you think unpopular views should be dealt with: purely market forces and no government or legal involvement.

 

Sterling confirms he will file a lawsuit to keep the Clippers.

 

Lol, well this should be fun to watch at least.

Interesting that he goes to Fox News of all places to get this out there.

 

LOL. Sterling goes to FoxNews first to issue a statement.... haha.... seems appropriate.

FYI, FoxNews must be spewing out crap right now because some of the "older-aged" individuals in my office are arguing about how its not "constitutional to force someone to sell private property blah blah blah." Just feeding these old farts their talking points.

We all knew that FoxNews drives deep seeded racism in this country, but to pretty much openly back Donald Scumbag Sterling RIGHT NOW takes some balls.... and not in a good way... in a sick twisted way.

 

I didn't equate racism with that. Howard said there are lots of things that happen every day that we should stand up against. (paraphrasing) I'm agreeing with him.

 

They are exemplars of the community. Employ people who look up to them as people of power...

DO YOU TRULY BELIEVE STERLING CONSENTED TO THIS BEING TAPED? WHY ON EARTH WOULD HE SIGN HIS DEATH WISH

Sterling is by default a person of power due to his financial situation. however, he has abused this power and been OPENLY racist all along. All this tells me is that racism and hate is allowed as long as you cover it up or keep it within drinks night on saturday. pathetic to see the DRAMATICS from the clippers website capitalizing on the publicity from a violation of the constitution

 

Sterling is a registered Republican. Isn't that right bigtexxx? :grin:

 

Market forces.

 

1) this should have happened long ago due to his public behavior and public racism
2) the recording is sleazy, but just put in audio form what this man both believes and does with his actions
3) capitalism is not a moral system and sometimes the proclivities of the market can force the hand of suppliers. The capitalists running the NBA are responding to the market of consumers and "sponsors" from whom revenue is generated. Sterling has harmed the brand and the market (the actual people who make up the market) are expressing that they will choose other goods (ie. not the Clippers) to meet their entertainment needs.

As has been pointed out, this is a private club free to deal with its members as it wishes. The owners want this scum out. So he is out of the club. He can cash in his chips and go. If he wants another team, he can start a league with other racist chaps in his social circle. And most of those in this billionaires club of team owners are white. So you don't have to worry about caring what any black person says.

Screaming A. Smith has fairly pointed out, that given that Sterling has generally settled out of court or defeated most lawsuits, and because even the federal suit he lost did not generate enough evidence to punish him, this audio -- however it was created -- is the first "caught in the act" the league has for Sterling. So now they can finally act. Dunno if it is all true, but sounds like a fair point.

 

From a legal perspective I want the court system to clarify exactly what the NBA can and cannot do.

You and I both know why it is splashed all over Fox News.

 

Right...and when they are caught in saying something like this, they pay a huge political price for that.

He's made no denial as of yet. I haven't heard the whole tape. I'm reading that those who have say that it's extremely clear that he knew he was being recorded. My understanding is he acknowledged it at some point in the conversation.

What constitution do you claim is being violated? the United States Constitution? You realize of course that the NBA isn't restrained by the Bill of Rights, correct? You realize that search and seizure laws don't apply, right...because the Bill of Rights restricts the government from coming after you with evidence illegally obtained. He's not facing prison time for making these comments. His business associates are simply trying to disassociate themselves from someone who has brought public shame on the league as a whole and, more particularly, on one of their affiliated franchises.

 

Yep. Market forces don't have to fit our ideologies or proclivities. This recording was just public validation of what has been known about this guy for a long time. The league had to act. Especially since journalists have been bringing Sterling's history to light. If this was a first offense, maybe he can do rehab or sensitivity training....

 

Pretty stout punishment and most likely deserving. He brought it upon himself but I expect consistent punishment this moment on. If a player were to make any derogatory racists remarks, I'm guessing they should be banned as well. Does that mean past incidents where Kobe shouted out the remark against gays and Shaq makes fun of Yao should be punished with the same force this moment on?

 

To be fair to this situation, Jim Gray works for Fox News and is likely the person that Sterling chose to reach out to because of his long history.

Edit: I'd love it from a legal perspective, but hate it for the NBA.

 

$$$ or hypocrisy? You know you don't have to choose one, don't you?

 

I'm a franchise owner of a fairly limited brand. 25 owners all together. I think the issue is how each owner effects the brand image. If I start selling a product outside of the brand, it effects everyone. Does the Franchisor have the power to force me out....contractually yes but it'll be a fight so they'd have to have a strong case. Our brand sells frozen dessert so me selling pizza out of my store, while clearly damaging to the brand, isn't necessarily enough to force me to sell.

However, if I do something egregious enough to harm the brand and other owners, like make my community board all about anti-gay information and it causes community backlash......yeah I think i'll get my franchise agreement revoked.

 

There are probably ample cases that deal with things like this in franchise law. I am curious how this will play out legally as well. I wonder if there is a NBA owner franchise disclosure document floating around somewhere.

 

It was listed in this thread already (it's on ESPN somewhere.) The termination rights require a 3/4 vote of the owners and can only be brought on by specific circumstances.

 

I think the owners will come on board. The pressure will be tremendous on the ownership as the BoG vote arrives. Also, the NBAPA has made pretty clear that Sterling selling the team is the only outcome they'll accept.

Kevin Johnson said during his press conference that if the outcome did NOT end with Sterling being out, the entire NBAPA would start boycotting games. In other words, think Wildcat strike but under the protection of the Civil Rights Act.

Given the choice of having the reputation of the NBA completely thrashed in the media and the NBA players refusing to suit up during the play offs or the regular season vs being drawn into a legal fight, I think the Owners will suck it up when it comes to potential litigation.

Also, should the vote fail you can bet that this is enough of an issue that the Owners who voted for the removal of Sterling will let it leak that they voted to remove Sterling. In other words, those who vote against it will be outed through media leaks and subject to intense media and public scrutiny which would impair their ability to retain sponsors, sell tickets and acquire and retain free agents.

I also expect that when the vote results are published the results will be 100% unanimous. Regardless of the actual vote count, if there's enough to vote him out there will be a gentleman's agreement to publish the vote as Unanimous so that there is no cloud hanging over any of the teams.

It might be messy, but I think there is really only one outcome from this point. Silver has made his position too clear, and thrown the ball in the Owners' court with the media and NBAPA behind him.

Sterling will go, it's just a question of time of how long.

 

Yes. It's a private sports league and if the majority of the other owners no longer want to be involved in business with you then that is their right. It's in their by-laws so it's not a surprise.