NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced today that Donald Sterling will be banned for life from the NBA, and the reactions immediately came pouring in from all over the sports world. Magic Johnson, who was called out by name in Sterling’s racist rant and called for Sterling to lose his ownership of the team, praised Silver for taking such strong action.
Commissioner Silver showed great leadership in banning LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 29, 2014
Former and current NBA players are very happy and satisfied with Commissioner Silver's ruling.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 29, 2014
Now let's hope that the other 29 owners do the right thing.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 29, 2014
Mark Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner who said yesterday he wouldn’t want to create a “slippery slope” in getting rid of Sterling, praised Silver’s decision as well.
I agree 100% with Commissioner Silvers findings and the actions taken against Donald Sterling
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) April 29, 2014
Reactions also poured in from NBA players LeBron James and Jason Collins, as well as Paul Allen, owner of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Commissioner Silver thank you for protecting our beautiful and powerful league!! Great leader!! #BiggerThanBasketball #StriveForGreatness
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 29, 2014
Commissioner of the @NBA just showed us how he drops the hammer on ignorance. #lifetimeban for Donald Sterling. The ultimate #gonefishing
— Jason Collins (@jasoncollins34) April 29, 2014
I completely support NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s decisive action on the Sterling issue. Great leadership and the league is in good hands.
— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) April 29, 2014
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who wrote a thought-provoking piece for Time on the “collective moral outrage” over Sterling, said after Silver’s announcement that he is “thrilled” with the decision, and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson called Silver “the player’s commissioner” for his leadership.
[image via screengrab, Keith Allison]
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