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Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Owner

A Boy Named Seo Apr 27 2014 01:36 PM

You know when President Obama, is commenting on the behavior of the owner of the LA Clippers, shit's hit the fan and is splattering all over walls, isn't it? The new Commish referenced the power of the NBA Constitution, whatever that is, to deal with Sterling. Whenever the Association confirms whatever they need to confirm, I hope a suspension for the remainder of playoffs is an automatic first, followed by making that arsehole Sell the Team NOW!!!! I don't know if it's possible, but a boy can dream. What do you think should happen to this twat?

d'Kong76 Apr 27 2014 02:16 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

He needs to be forced out of the league. Not sure how that will happen, but I think it will eventually.

MFS62 Apr 27 2014 02:41 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

His players were going to forfeit their playoff game. That would be a good start, but they have since decided to play. Later

d'Kong76 Apr 27 2014 02:45 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

That would be some story, but they are contractually obligated to play of course and for big salaries. He'll be gone, one way or another.

Benjamin Grimm Apr 27 2014 03:32 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

The Clippers are in the playoffs??? I guess I should go look up whatever it was that this guy said…

A Boy Named Seo Apr 27 2014 03:41 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Yeah, Ben, this Clippers are, like, really good. So glad there was no forfeit (even though the Clips might as well have, the way they've been playing today). Big picture (racism in sports, in America), I don't see what a forfeit really accomplishes. Sterling's assholery shouldn't affect those dudes' professional goals of winning their games and getting a ring anyway. LeBron was right. There is no place for this guy in the NBA (or, like, anywhere else in the world). The Association's about 80% black and this fogey doesn't like blacks. New Commish has gotta drop the hammer real heavy here. No choice.

Edgy MD Apr 27 2014 03:56 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Well, I suppose refusing to play would be more productive if the team's opponents refused to play also.

A Boy Named Seo Apr 27 2014 04:07 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Yeah, agreed. And if that would've happened, it would've been something for other teams to think about, too. If the whole Association during the Playoffs came to a screeching halt because of this, that's one hell of a protest.

Frayed Knot Apr 27 2014 04:08 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

So I know Sterling's been like a really bad owner for a number of years now, but were there any of these 'bad actor' moments in his past aside from simply not running his franchise very well? That he was reportedly been a past recipient (and was due to receive another) of some sort of 'image award' from the local chapter of the NAACP out there implies no (at least on this front) but I have this image of him being some sort of asshole although I can't think of any specifics as to why. I guess I don't follow enough and haven't yet read up much on this new story to know much about the guy.

A Boy Named Seo Apr 27 2014 05:35 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

He's a turd. Made millions in real estate and was sued by the US Dept of Justice for not renting to blacks, Asians, and hispanics in different properties around LA. He settled out of court. Former Clippers GM and NBA great Elgin Baylor sued Sterling for wrongful termination and discrimination and said he was a racist shithole (my words, not his), but really Elgin claimed this: Sterling had a “vision of a Southern plantation-type structure” for the Clippers and accused the owner of a “pervasive and ongoing racist attitude” during long-ago contract negotiations with Danny Manning. The lawsuit also quoted Sterling as telling Manning's agent, “I’m offering you a lot of money for a poor black kid.” Source: LATimes That lawsuit was thrown out by the court, though. He really is a turd.

metirish Apr 27 2014 06:26 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Not sure how he can be forced out, the stuff he was saying was just awful , very demeaning , said in such a casual way. There must be a code of conduct for owners?

Edgy MD Apr 27 2014 09:18 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

The record's been there --- for anybody willing to look. Deadspin and other sources have given a blow-by-blow of this guy's over-the-top history of racist outrages. His own sworn testimony should have been enough for the league to question strongly whether they want to associate with the guy. But who goes looking for that stuff? There's millions to be made, and journalism is dead. Except at TMZ, anyhow. Anyway, I don't pretend to have known him from Adam two days ago. Gonna be curious how much of a say the players association gets here. It's also curious to see a guy named Silver judging a guy named Sterling, and I don't think locking out the players is going to sell, even if they go for the most extreme penalty. Indeed, locking the players out of the process could be framed as another version of the plantation mentality in action. I always like to see doors open for redemption, but that's going to be the toughest of sells. He'll probably get the sweet buyout of a dictator in exile.

Vic Sage Apr 28 2014 09:10 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

If owners could be permanently forced out of their leagues because they were assholes, how many would be left? You could hold a league meeting in an elevator. Yankee history would certainly be different. And why does the media fixate more on stupid stuff people say than stupid stuff people DO? Beat your wife? C'mon in! Illegal drugs? quick suspension, then your back. Shoot somebody? well, we stand by our player. 2nd amendment rights, yadayada. Sterling was, is and will be an asshole. In fact, he was one when the other owners allowed him to buy in; and i'm fairly confident that the vetting process of new ownership groups would've turned that fact up at the time, because his assholery was a matter of public record. But whatever he thought of blacks, his money was green and they said "sure, donald, c'mon in!" Do they have a right to force him out? I don't think so, unless his team becomes FINANCIALLY unstable (i.e., see former owner, Dodgers, LA). And i don't know how much will there is to stand up to this among the owners, because of their general assholery, and the possibility that they too might have skeletons (maybe even literally) in their own closets, that they'd prefer to keep unscrutinized. And that's where the players come in. They wait to see what the league and the owner do about this and, if its insufficient in their view, they could organize a collective action to begin next season, where all players on the team who can become FAs do so, and no other FAs sign with the team; then, if they can field a sufficient roster, the Clippers players as a TEAM refuse to take the court for any home games and, when they travel, the road teams refuse to take the court against them, so the protest is team-wide and league-wide, such that it would be impossible to selectively punish any particular player without punishing every player in the NBA. And even if they do, the loss of revenues from cancellations of games would devastate the team (not the whole league, because other teams would still be playing) such that financial instability would occur and the owners COULD force him out. The economic consequences of public assholery would then have a real dollar value. Of course, that would take significant resolve on everybody's part, and a willingness to sacrifice for principles, so we would see just how outraged the players are and what they were willing to do to fight it. And if they were more interested in their pockets and their chances at titles, then that will be clear, too. But Silver can do no more than suspend and fine, and their league partnership agreement probably can't even allow the owners to force him out except for an inability to pay his bills. And i hear so many saying "why should the players and fans be hurt by sterling's comments and lose out on their opportunities to play"... and i say that sacrifice is the only way anything ever happens, and they are the ones with the opportunity to make their position not only heard, but felt. So if they want to go Django on him and burn down the plantation, more power to them. But i doubt they'll view it this way. Their desire to play, to win, and to get paid big money will surely enable them to come up with a rationalization of their self-interest that makes them heroes because they "won't let that racist owner keep me from playing the game i love, for me, my family, my teammates, the fans, and these united states of America!" Yup, that works, too. And anyway, Sterling has a right to make private statements expressing his own worldview, as warped as it is. And i can't help feeling its a view some of his fans share, too. welcome to post-racial America.

Mets – Willets Point Apr 28 2014 09:12 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

I haven't been paying much attention to this but when I first heard "sports team owner" and "Sterling" in the same sentence, I thought "uh-oh!"

Frayed Knot Apr 28 2014 09:22 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Edgy MD wrote: It's also curious to see a guy named Silver judging a guy named Sterling, ... So who should provide the soundtrack to this whole deal: Bob Seger's old band, or Argent?

MFS62 Apr 28 2014 09:25 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Frayed Knot wrote: So who should provide the soundtrack to this whole deal: Bob Seger's old band, or Argent? That was impressive. Later

Frayed Knot Apr 28 2014 09:39 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

MFS62 wrote: So who should provide the soundtrack to this whole deal: Bob Seger's old band, or Argent? That was impressive. I'll be here all week. Try the veal and don't forget to tip your waitresses. The record's been there --- for anybody willing to look. This seems like one of those deals where all the insiders--not just the league & players, but also those media-types who adopt the 'hoop it up' lifestyle as their chosen image--did know but have suddenly been thrust into the situation of having to express outrage now that the general public has been let in on the "secret".

A Boy Named Seo Apr 28 2014 10:50 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Apparently CarMax and State Farm have jumped ship as sponsors of the Clippers. I don't see this trend stopping either. To Vic's excellent points, this could give Silver some ammo to show that Sterling can't be regarded as a reliable owner from a financial standpoint...

Edgy MD Apr 28 2014 01:07 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

By the way, as horribly horrible a job of vetting as the NBA appears to have done (or pretended to have cared to do), how about the job the Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP did (or pretended to have cared to do), considering he was about to receive his second lifetime achievement award?

A Boy Named Seo Apr 28 2014 01:17 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Yeah, astounding, right? When I first read about that, I thought it was some sort of satirical award.

A Boy Named Seo Apr 28 2014 01:26 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Now Virgin America, something called Aquahydrate, and KIA Motors (maybe the biggest sponsor of the Clips) have backed out. This is good.

metirish Apr 28 2014 01:27 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Red Bull too

Edgy MD Apr 28 2014 01:31 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Irish, would a Euro-football owner be more likely to survive this sort of scandal, do you think, than a US sports team owner?

metirish Apr 28 2014 01:39 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Edgy MD wrote: Irish, would a Euro-football owner be more likely to survive this sort of scandal, do you think, than a US sports team owner? great question , racism is rampant throughout European soccer , the Spanish Football Association regularly get accused of doing noting to stamp it out there . i can't think of a case though where an owner was caught saying such things. I imagine it would vary from country to country weather the owner would survive, it might for instance be more acceptable to say something like that in Russia than say England.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 28 2014 01:56 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

What can they do? They couldn't take the Reds from Marge Schott. They can't, or won't get Dan Snyder to change the name of his team. (Though, admittedly, I don't know how badly the NFL powers want Snyder to change the team name either, lip service notwithstanding). Sterling's entitled to his views.

d'Kong76 Apr 28 2014 02:04 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

batmagadanleadoff wrote: They couldn't take the Reds from Marge Schott. She was banned from baseball.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 28 2014 02:40 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

d'Kong76 wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: They couldn't take the Reds from Marge Schott. She was banned from baseball. Temporarily suspended. Not banned.

Edgy MD Apr 28 2014 03:04 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Under investigation for infractions that would have led to her third suspension, she was ultimately forced to divest under duress and threats from both the league and from her minority partners. Whether that counts as a lifetime ban or not seems to be a semantic point. I guess it's somewhat analogous to a no-contest plea.

themetfairy Apr 28 2014 03:14 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

I like the concept that Sterling might be forced to sell the team if he loses enough corporate sponsors. Let the market forces get rid of him organically.

Edgy MD Apr 28 2014 04:09 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Matt Kemp's walkup song: "If you're thinking 'bout my baby, doesn't matter if you're black or white."

d'Kong76 Apr 28 2014 04:48 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Edgy MD wrote: Under investigation for infractions that would have led to her third suspension, she was ultimately forced to divest under duress and threats from both the league and from her minority partners. Whether that counts as a lifetime ban or not seems to be a semantic point. I guess it's somewhat analogous to a no-contest plea. From Wiki: She was banned from managing the team by the MLB from 1996 through 1998 due to statements in support of German domestic policies of Nazi party leader Adolf Hitler; shortly afterwards, she sold the majority of her share in the team. Banned is banned, he just needs to be contrary as much as possible. As for the right to having his views, I call bullshit. He's a public figure and public figures who want to remain so can't go around spewing racist remarks. Walk into your office tomorrow and call someone a nigger and then defend yourself by saying you're entitled to your views and see how far that gets you.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 28 2014 05:08 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

d'Kong76 wrote: Under investigation for infractions that would have led to her third suspension, she was ultimately forced to divest under duress and threats from both the league and from her minority partners. Whether that counts as a lifetime ban or not seems to be a semantic point. I guess it's somewhat analogous to a no-contest plea. From Wiki: She was banned from managing the team by the MLB from 1996 through 1998 due to statements in support of German domestic policies of Nazi party leader Adolf Hitler; shortly afterwards, she sold the majority of her share in the team. Banned is banned, he just needs to be contrary as much as possible. As for the right to having his views, I call bullshit. He's a public figure and public figures who want to remain so can't go around spewing racist remarks. Walk into your office tomorrow and call someone a nigger and then defend yourself by saying you're entitled to your views and see how far that gets you. I initially posted that MLB couldn't take the Reds from Schott. Your follow up "banned" post was intended to poke some hole in my post -- which you'll deny. You can play all the word games you want with "banned" and "suspended", but your post is just a premise, and probably has little to do with Schott, Sterling or racism. And for the record, I wouldn't spew racist comments because I find them to be offensive, repugnant and against my character. But that's not my point. Sterling probably has a constitutional right to his views, public figure or not. He may face powerful consequences from public forces for expressing his views, but I'm not sure that the NBA can take away his franchise. Just like MLB couldn't take the Reds from Schott. But you can continue to contort yourself trying to bust my balls here.

d'Kong76 Apr 28 2014 05:11 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Don't tell me what I mean and what I intend. I had a lot of sports tv on today and Schott's name came up several times. I'm not discussing it further with you if you think that piece of garbage is entitled to his views. So are you, and I think that view is a foul one.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 28 2014 05:16 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

d'Kong76 wrote: Don't tell me what I mean and what I intend. I had a lot of sports tv on today and Schott's name came up several times. I'm not discussing it further with you if you think that piece of garbage is entitled to his views. So are you, and I think that view is a foul one. You don't know what the hell you're talking about. Being repulsed by Sterling's (or Schott's) views and upholding the Constitution aren't mutually exclusive. You'd probably ban flag burning, too. And I'll tell you what I think you mean whenever I feel like it, especially when your post is directed at me. You think that you have plausible deniability because I can't read your mind? If you don't want your posts analyzed, don't post them in the first place. You wouldn't of responded anyway, if anyone else but me was the poster.

Frayed Knot Apr 28 2014 05:33 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

d'Kong76 wrote: From Wiki: [Schott] was banned from managing the team by the MLB from 1996 through 1998 due to statements in support of German domestic policies of Nazi party leader Adolf Hitler; shortly afterwards, she sold the majority of her share in the team. The phrase "Banned from managing" in this case probably means banned from being the "general partner", i.e.. the person designated by the club to be the point person for conducting the team's business. This is the same punishment doled out to Steinbrenner later on and could certainly happen to Sterling on account of all this but it's not the same thing as being able to force him to sell. MLB and the other owners certainly pressured Marge to sell the Reds although if she wanted to dig in and refuse it's questionable whether MLB would have been able to legally force her to and I don't believe the commish's office in the NBA is as strong as the one in MLB. That Adam Silver has been in office for about 20 minutes as this scandal breaks probably doesn't help.

d'Kong76 Apr 28 2014 05:34 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

USA Today: The NBA will hold a 2 p.m. ET news conference Tuesday in New York to make an announcement about its investigation involving Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, vice president of communications Mike Bass said Monday in a news release.

Nymr83 Apr 28 2014 09:14 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

As for the right to having his views, I call bullshit. He's a public figure and public figures who want to remain so can't go around spewing racist remarks. Walk into your office tomorrow and call someone a nigger and then defend yourself by saying you're entitled to your views and see how far that gets you. You are entitled to say it and your boss is entitled to fire you. If you ARE the boss, your employees are entitled to quit and your customers are entitled to take their business elsewhere, effectively "firing" you. "public figure" doesnt mean shit. if someone were an elected or appointed official of the government (at any level) that would be different.

d'Kong76 Apr 29 2014 02:57 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

The "shit" is no one would care. He's lost virtually all of his sponsors, hope he's enjoying his entitlement to free speech and not losing too much sleep over it. Jeez. Here's some other lawyers chiming in: http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow ... rint.story

seawolf17 Apr 29 2014 07:16 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Nymr83 wrote: As for the right to having his views, I call bullshit. He's a public figure and public figures who want to remain so can't go around spewing racist remarks. Walk into your office tomorrow and call someone a nigger and then defend yourself by saying you're entitled to your views and see how far that gets you. You are entitled to say it and your boss is entitled to fire you. If you ARE the boss, your employees are entitled to quit and your customers are entitled to take their business elsewhere, effectively "firing" you. "public figure" doesnt mean shit. if someone were an elected or appointed official of the government (at any level) that would be different. This. The government can't do anything, but private enterprise (read: NBA) sure as hell can.

metsmarathon Apr 29 2014 07:41 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

since donald sterling isn't being arrested for expressing his racist views, his constitutional right to express those views isn't being violated. being fired for expressing racist or repugnant views is not a violation of anyone's constitutional rights, as the right to continued employment is not guaranteed by the constitution.

Nymr83 Apr 29 2014 07:41 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

d'Kong76 wrote: The "shit" is no one would care. He's lost virtually all of his sponsors, hope he's enjoying his entitlement to free speech and not losing too much sleep over it. Jeez. Here's some other lawyers chiming in: http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow ... rint.story I hope he continues to lose sponsors and realizes that he should sell the team, which will be worth more to someone else than it is to him if business partners continue to leave him.

Edgy MD Apr 29 2014 12:25 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Fined $2.5 million and banned for life.

A Boy Named Seo Apr 29 2014 12:28 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

The Commish has got a huge set of brass ones, I love it.

Frayed Knot Apr 29 2014 12:37 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Not quite sure what "Banned for life"* means, but OK. I mean, he still owns the team, right? There's talk about 'forcing a sale' but that gets into a whole sticky situation and this Sterling guy is apparently one litigious cat. Complicating matters is that he's still married (despite the apparent parade of bimbos) and, especially with California community property laws, she is part owner. * can't attend games or wear a replica team shirt in public?

MFS62 Apr 29 2014 12:38 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Edgy MD wrote: Fined $2.5 million and banned for life. Does that mean he has to sell, or still own the club and turn management over to someone else? Later

A Boy Named Seo Apr 29 2014 01:00 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Silver made it sound like he's already lined up the backing of the other owners, which is required for the Association to force him to sell. Why do I have a feeling someone on FOX Business is gonna say something really dumb within the next 24 hours?

themetfairy Apr 29 2014 01:02 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Why do I have a feeling someone on FOX Business is gonna say something really dumb within the next 24 hours? Your Spidey Senses should have that feeling every day.

Edgy MD Apr 29 2014 01:09 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

A Boy Named Seo wrote: The Commish has got a huge set of brass ones, I love it. Look at that bunch of segregated swells. I can see ABN Seo isn't allowed to bring black guys to the game either.

Frayed Knot Apr 29 2014 01:12 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

MFS62 wrote: Edgy MD wrote: Fined $2.5 million and banned for life. Does that mean he has to sell, or still own the club and turn management over to someone else? The banning means can't attend games, practices, or be involved in decisions affecting the club. It also bans him from league meetings, activities, etc. But, no, by itself this action does not mean he has to sell. Silver made it sound like he's already lined up the backing of the other owners, which is required for the Association to force him to sell. He probably does* but forcing someone to sell because of essentially words said in private and (probably) illegally recorded and distributed is a sticky legal situation and simply getting the 3/4th vote of the other owners to agree with it is not the same as making it stick. * although he specifically denied that he had polled the owners other than "speaking to a few" -- but I'd expect him to say that even if he had

Edgy MD Apr 29 2014 01:18 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

The sad part to me is that this appears to spring from his racial/sexual insecurity. He seemingly doesn't want his girlfriend around younger/blacker/athletic dudes because people would assume that she's their sexmate and not his, which would totally show him up. What a huge pile of equity his sad little head and his malicious big head are going to cost him.

Vic Sage Apr 29 2014 01:19 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

A "lifetime ban" does not suggest to me that he has to sell the team, or even a portion of his ownership interest. Presumably, he will not be permitted to attend any team or league activities (including games), or have any management or advisory role in the running of the team. But the fact that he's banned doesn't necessarily mean his wife is banned; I would assume she can fill whatever management role Dandy Don had, since she has not been banned for anything. I think this was the right result, and the best the league could have done (or, frankly should have done) for the crime of an owner making a private utterance (no matter how reprehensible) with a reasonable expectation of privacy, that was then illegally recorded and given over to the media without his permission, thus creating a PR nightmare for the team and the league in the middle of the playoffs. But no matter how despicable his private utterances, i don't believe that the owners want any part of a legal battle to strip Stirling of his ownership or dissolve the team. As Cuban implied, that kind of radical seizure of property by partners would be a slippery slope, and I can't imagine many of the owners would likely want to do that, particularly for the crime of having hateful but legal opinions that were not even stated in public. So i'd be surprised if it went further, from banning to a forced sale or termination of the franchise. Is it possible? i guess so, but i'd be surprised. Stirling, however, may want to sell the team at this point and take his billion and walk away, rather than keep getting spat at. I don't claim to know his (or the owners') view on the ownership question. But, in any event, I'd argue that Stirling's prior PUBLIC ACTIONS with regard to illegal housing discrimination was far more racist and damaging to more people than his private utterances made in an attempt to control his ex-girlfriend's public behavior, and that the league should have banned him when he was convicted of those actions; now, this just smells like a cynical attempt to placate an angry player and fan base, so life and playoffs can go on. But ok, better late than never.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 29 2014 01:30 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

it looks like Sterling's girlfriend "got him back". Hell hath no fury ....

Ashie62 Apr 29 2014 04:40 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

What a mess... Oddly.. I am as offended by hateful fat comments against Bartolo Colon...

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Apr 29 2014 06:30 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Edgy MD wrote: The sad part to me is that this appears to spring from his racial/sexual insecurity. He seemingly doesn't want his girlfriend around younger/blacker/athletic dudes because people would assume that she's their sexmate and not his, which would totally show him up. Oddly, though, he seems fine with her actually being their sexmate. He just doesn't, y'know, want to get phone calls. Vic Sage wrote: But, in any event, I'd argue that Stirling's prior PUBLIC ACTIONS with regard to illegal housing discrimination was far more racist and damaging to more people than his private utterances made in an attempt to control his ex-girlfriend's public behavior, and that the league should have banned him when he was convicted of those actions; now, this just smells like a cynical attempt to placate an angry player and fan base, so life and playoffs can go on. But ok, better late than never. THIS. A million times. I'll never get over the fact that, again and again and again, saying something stupid and ugly generally gets farmore people outraged than doing something willfully pernicious that has far-reaching, profound effects on the lives of many.

Frayed Knot Apr 29 2014 07:48 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

The problem with that rental discrimination suit is that the case was settled (for him paying some large sum of money) but without any admission of guilt on his part, thus making it harder for the league to take action because of it. And, yes, the lack of sexy sound-bite-ness as compared to this story made it less urgent for the league and media to make a big deal about it.

Nymr83 Apr 29 2014 08:15 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Yes, there is really no comparison between his previous actions and this one. But Silver wants to be the new sheriff in town and doesnt care that Stern didnt act on those things.

Edgy MD Apr 30 2014 06:32 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Edgy MD wrote: The sad part to me is that this appears to spring from his racial/sexual insecurity. He seemingly doesn't want his girlfriend around younger/blacker/athletic dudes because people would assume that she's their sexmate and not his, which would totally show him up. Oddly, though, he seems fine with her actually being their sexmate. He just doesn't, y'know, want to get phone calls. Vic Sage wrote: But, in any event, I'd argue that Stirling's prior PUBLIC ACTIONS with regard to illegal housing discrimination was far more racist and damaging to more people than his private utterances made in an attempt to control his ex-girlfriend's public behavior, and that the league should have banned him when he was convicted of those actions; now, this just smells like a cynical attempt to placate an angry player and fan base, so life and playoffs can go on. But ok, better late than never. THIS. A million times. I'll never get over the fact that, again and again and again, saying something stupid and ugly generally gets farmore people outraged than doing something willfully pernicious that has far-reaching, profound effects on the lives of many. Well, the difference, I would guess, is that he hit the players where they live.

cooby Apr 30 2014 08:09 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

What was this PYT doing with him in the first place? Ew

TransMonk Apr 30 2014 08:24 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Spending his money, I'd guess.

Nymr83 Apr 30 2014 09:49 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

I wonder what dirt Sterling has on the NBA and what he can prove? Fixed drafts? Jordan gambling suspension? This could be a conspiracy theorists dream!

Vic Sage Apr 30 2014 10:27 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

I don't think Sterling needs any dirt; he has the bylaws of the league. From what i've seen online, under the terms of Paragraph 13 of their constitution, the owners can terminate another owner's franchise with a vote of three-fourths of the NBA Board of Governors, which is composed of all 30 owners (well 29, now that they've banned Sterling for life). The power to terminate is limited to things like "gambling", and "fraud" in the application for ownership, but it also includes a provision for termination when an owner "fails to fulfill" a "contractual obligation" in "such a way as to affect the [NBA] or its members adversely." I don't see how an illegally taped private conversation, unrelated to any contractual obligation or even any issues related to the management of his team or the league, provides the grounds for the termination of an owner's franchise. And with Sterling's willingness to litigate, if the other owners voted to terminate his franchise, it seems he'd have more than reasonable grounds to appeal. Furthermore, what does it mean to "terminate a franchise"? Unless that term is further defined in the bylaws, the language seems to suggest a dissolution of the franchise, not necessarily a forced sale or takeover of it by the league. In other words, even if they had legit grounds, it seems they can dissolve his property, not seize it or sell it to somebody else. Which would make all the players free agents, and make the league liable for all the existing contracts the Clippers have with vendors (including the arena and tv networks). But I guess i'm missing something,, as the owners seem to be heading for just such a decision. Perhaps they have a different definition of "termination of franchise" in the partnership agreement, and a broader latitude for grounds to terminate than that provision provides. I'd love to hear somebody with real expertise on the NBA's bylaws explain this.

Edgy MD Apr 30 2014 10:56 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

I would think that to "terminate" his franchise would be to withdraw his license to operate within the NBA. His organization's assets otherwise remain his. But Mongo only pawn in game of life.

Frayed Knot Apr 30 2014 10:59 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

I guess the implication that Sterling has some dirt on the NBA stems from the lack of pushback against him up until now despite several instances in his past that were, rightly pointed out here and elsewhere, worse than this one. Hell, just a year or so back, David Stern (stewarding a trade for the then league-owned Hornets/Pelicans) intervened to squelch a deal that would have helped the Lakers and re-rigged it to one where the Clippers would up with Chris Paul and an improved team. But I don't think it's a case of dirt. The "crime" this time was simply more direct and more accessible to the average fan and player than was some settled-out-of-court w/no admission of guilt stuff (and, remember, Elgin Baylor lost his suit v Sterling) that few new about and even fewer remember. Plus I think there's even more to it. Simply put, the Clippers stunk like ass for so long that whatever the loony owner was doing just wasn't too high on anyone's radar; hell, the league was probably happy that SOMEBODY wanted to own the team. But, now, suddenly both the franchise (especially w/the Lakers being down) AND the league are in much better shape, so not only isn't this as easy to sweep under the rug as before but forcing a sale would fetch a huge price right now while allowing him to continue as head honcho would do just the opposite via player protests, sponsor pull-outs, damaged pr, etc.

batmagadanleadoff Apr 30 2014 03:44 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Why can't someone record eff 'n Jeff making racist comments?

Edgy MD Apr 30 2014 07:22 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

I imagine someone could.

Nymr83 Apr 30 2014 07:54 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Edgy MD wrote: I imagine someone could. Even better, unlike in California, you only need one party's consent to record a conversation in New York. So if anyone e very meets a Wilpon, hit "record" on your cell phone, you never know!

Frayed Knot May 01 2014 06:21 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Ironically, the NYM owner who was caught making ethnic slurs* is the one some NYM fans are pining for today. * "Looks like the Jew-boys got you" -- N. Doubleday to F. Vincent about being sacked by an owner cabal led by Reinsdorf, Selig, Wilpon et al (acc to 'Lords of the Realm')

Edgy MD May 01 2014 08:12 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Patzachry!

Vic Sage May 01 2014 08:15 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

there are fans pining for Doubleday? i mean, i get the Wilpon hate, i even indulge in it, but pining for Doubleday? really?

Benjamin Grimm May 01 2014 08:29 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

There's probably more pining for Mark Cuban than for Doubleday. I think the only thing Doubleday has going for him is that he's not despised.

Ceetar May 01 2014 08:40 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Vic Sage wrote: there are fans pining for Doubleday? i mean, i get the Wilpon hate, i even indulge in it, but pining for Doubleday? really? The general narrative is that Doubleday was some sort of balancing force and 'real fan' and it all went downhill when the Wilpons bought him out. It's really just a way to try to explain away any success the Mets have had while the Wilpons owned the team by crediting it to someone else.

Edgy MD May 01 2014 09:00 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Vic Sage wrote: there are fans pining for Doubleday? i mean, i get the Wilpon hate, i even indulge in it, but pining for Doubleday? really? Oh, yes. They're re-writing history like bandits out there. This Sterling story is really pissing in soup of their "Worst Owners in All of Sports!!" agenda.

Frayed Knot May 01 2014 09:05 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Vic Sage wrote: there are fans pining for Doubleday? i mean, i get the Wilpon hate, i even indulge in it, but pining for Doubleday? really? Anecdotally at least, yes, including here a couple of times. The longer things go badly under the 'pons it becomes easier to invoke revisionist history and declare how everything would have been much better had ND bought out FW instead of the other way around. The Piazza trade and a few other (usually speculative IMO) moves or non-moves are cited as proof of Doubleday's supposed wisdom, and some even claim that ND was the truer baseball fan at heart. That last part contradicts everything I ever heard but that doesn't stop people from latching onto it.

Vic Sage May 01 2014 09:23 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

they may simply be romanticizing the name "doubleday"; but his casual white-shoe country-club anti-semitism (wow, 3 hyphenated words in a row!) has been public knowledge for 30 years at least. I get that frustration with the `Pons causes fans to look elsewhere for a better era, but backwards is not usually the best place to look, and blinders never help either.

Nymr83 May 02 2014 07:36 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Sterling apparently has cancer according to sportscenter

RealityChuck May 02 2014 10:01 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Frayed Knot wrote: there are fans pining for Doubleday? i mean, i get the Wilpon hate, i even indulge in it, but pining for Doubleday? really? Anecdotally at least, yes, including here a couple of times. The longer things go badly under the 'pons it becomes easier to invoke revisionist history and declare how everything would have been much better had ND bought out FW instead of the other way around. The Piazza trade and a few other (usually speculative IMO) moves or non-moves are cited as proof of Doubleday's supposed wisdom, and some even claim that ND was the truer baseball fan at heart. That last part contradicts everything I ever heard but that doesn't stop people from latching onto it. Not revisionist: Wilpon had no control of the team at all until '86. I don't know the date of the transfer, but Doubleday was the one who hired Frank Cashen, who built that team. And all reports at the time said that it was Doubleday who pushed to get Piazza; Wilpon wanted to pass. (The two were equal partners at the time.) I don't think bringing Doubleday back would make any difference now, but he turned the team into a World Series champion from next to nothing.

Edgy MD May 02 2014 10:11 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

There you go.

Frayed Knot May 29 2014 06:51 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to buy the Clippers for ... $2 Billion That's nearly 4x the amount that an NBA team has ever sold for as the Milwaukee Bucks sold for $550 mil earlier this year

A Boy Named Seo May 29 2014 09:45 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Yay.

metsmarathon May 30 2014 07:20 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

wow. it pays to be a racist fuckbag.

Frayed Knot May 30 2014 07:39 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

One wonders what the price would have been if this team were just being sold without any surrounding controversy. You'd think that an octogenarian owner suddenly finding himself in a position of being forced to sell would drive the price downward a bit instead of selling for nearly four times the price of any previous franchise. And while this is LA as compared to the previous record sale which was the barely on anyone's radar screen Milwaukee Bucks, the price tag begs the question that if that city's second-tier team and perennial laughing stock (only partly because of the owner) is snapped up in about a week for $2 Billion with a B during a not-great economy, what the heck are other teams even before getting into the likes of the Cowboys & Yankees. Now maybe this will turn out to be a ridiculous price that the buyers eventually regret, but I'd have to think that a lot of sports franchise owners just went; "Oh reeeealllly!"

Edgy MD May 30 2014 07:58 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

I suspect there's more going on here than we know --- perhaps that Sterling was promised an insane sum in exchange for agreeing to abide by a questionable ruling without filing a lawsuit; perhaps that the league, the owners, and/or affiliated financial institutions (and throw in Hollywood, the gummint, and others, if you want to get kooky) opened up back-door lines of credit to the new owners in order to make the purchase worthwhile, and guarantee minority partners. But in it's own way, maybe the recently established public narrative of this franchise and its players and fan base nobly enduring a crackpot malefactor of an owner has authentically increased its value.

Ceetar May 30 2014 08:02 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Lakers finished last, Clippers finished first. Kobe is getting older. and It's LA. There are millions of bandwagon fans that will jump all over the Clippers if that trend continues. Would anyone have been surprised if the Lakers sold for that much? I don't follow the NBA to judge quality or long term success or anything, but certainly seems like they're primed to very profitable going forward.

Benjamin Grimm May 30 2014 08:06 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Frayed Knot wrote: Now maybe this will turn out to be a ridiculous price that the buyers eventually regret, but I'd have to think that a lot of sports franchise owners just went; "Oh reeeealllly!" From your lips to Fred Wilpon's ears!

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 30 2014 08:11 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Really, man. I have no direct knowledge of this but I suspect this Katz business is true. Why struggle to your deathbed losing your descendants' $$ when you could conceiveably make them, what? 5 billion? if you'd only relinquish control?

Frayed Knot May 30 2014 08:16 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Now maybe this will turn out to be a ridiculous price that the buyers eventually regret, but I'd have to think that a lot of sports franchise owners just went; "Oh reeeealllly!" From your lips to Fred Wilpon's ears! That was (at least partially) my point. Many of these owners essentially forego year to year profits knowing that they'll be able to cash in when they sell for a decent sized chunk more than their original purchase price. (they don't like having to dip into their pockets to keep the thing afloat in the interim -- Saul Katz -- but as long as things are at least breaking even ...) But I think this selling price for what has been one of the poor sisters of a league which seems to go up and down in popularity based, more than any other, on the Q-Factor of a handful of players, might make a bunch of owners sit up and wonder if this might not be their time to cash in too. Now the Wilpons seem intent on making theirs a multi-generational operation, something which may or may not work, so they maybe don't see this situation applying to them, but yaneverknow.

Frayed Knot May 30 2014 08:23 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Arranged lines of credit? Promises to Sterling in exchange for 'Fuck Off' money? --- Yeah maybe, but it still takes someone in the private sector to say; 'Yeah I think this franchise is worth X and I'm going to put up my money to back that up. Would anyone have been surprised if the Lakers sold for that much? --- Before yesterday? ... probably. Now? ... the skies the limit seemingly. The Clippers may be better than the Lakers now but including this year makes it maybe 2 years in the last 542 where that's the case. The Lakers have CLEARLY been the more valuable & popular team and one wouldn't think that a short-term reversal in standings would change that enough to flip franchise values.

Edgy MD May 30 2014 08:24 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Really, man. I have no direct knowledge of this but I suspect this Katz business is true. Why struggle to your deathbed losing your descendants' $$ when you could conceivably make them, what? 5 billion? if you'd only relinquish control? I don't pretend to know either, but I think it's a question of giving them five billion in cash vs. five billion in the form of a rare, hard-to-acquire, rapidly appreciating asset protected by a legal monopoly. That's not chopped liver either. They can always sell in their own time. And of course, the team will be worth more to the Wilpons when it's more paid off. They own outright, what? Thirty percent of the team? Presumably your dollars mature faster when invested in the team than when sitting in the bank (but not as fast as they did when invested with Uncle Bernie).

Ceetar May 30 2014 08:31 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Frayed Knot wrote: Arranged lines of credit? Promises to Sterling in exchange for 'Fuck Off' money? --- Yeah maybe, but it still takes someone in the private sector to say; 'Yeah I think this franchise is worth X and I'm going to put up my money to back that up. Would anyone have been surprised if the Lakers sold for that much? --- Before yesterday? ... probably. Now? ... the skies the limit seemingly. The Clippers may be better than the Lakers now but including this year makes it maybe 2 years in the last 542 where that's the case. The Lakers have CLEARLY been the more valuable & popular team and one wouldn't think that a short-term reversal in standings would change that enough to flip franchise values. Yes but my point is the Lakers are the ceiling for the Clippers. With a little investment/staying the course/whatever you do in the NBA, the Clippers could easily be what the Lakers were a couple of years ago. Even Yankees fans don't buy tickets cause the team was good 5, 10, 40 years ago. Fans are at least 95% bandwagoners. Edgy MD wrote: And of course, the team will be worth more to the Wilpons when it's more paid off. They own outright, what? Thirty percent of the team? Presumably your dollars mature faster when invested in the team than when sitting in the bank (but not as fast as they did when invested with Uncle Bernie). Would it though? The pay-off would be factored into the buyout. And buying out a loan now is always better than paying it off long term right? And this is why no one is going to force the Wilpons to default on those loans. They know they have them over a barrel and know they have earning potential that will continue to get them money, and interest. Lots and lots of interest because of the debt level and bond ratings and all that. A buyout would lose those banks a ton of money.

Vic Sage May 30 2014 08:50 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

i heard a sports economist interviewed on the radio, saying that, if not for the circumstances, he would've estimated the Clippers selling price to have been around $900m, and that this price is an outlier created by the circumstances. I have no idea whether its true or not, but that's what i heard. And i can understand how the same roar of moral outrage and self-righteousness that is stampeding Stirling out of the league (an action spurred on by private statements, not public deeds he had already engaged in without penalty, which is a different issue entirely) might have created competition amongst the wealthy to be the "white knight" (if you'll excuse the phrase) in this situation. These guys buy teams for ego and status (if it was just about money, then there are better investments available to them) and what better than to take advantage of a rare opportunity to enter the exclusive club of sports owners and ALSO be perceived as a cultural hero? Billionaires may be willing to pay a premium for such a deal. Like i said, i don't know if that's what's going on here, but it seems at least as plausible an explanation as the economists who do these kind of evaluations for a living being off by 100%+.

Ceetar May 30 2014 08:54 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

There's definitely something to the 'exclusive club' business.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 30 2014 08:56 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

I agree with Vic's point regarding the "white knight" biz. Still, I think this deal,has got to be prompting owners to wanna cash in. Madden reported in the wake of the Dodger$ $ale to Guggenheim that ago the Steinbrenners wanted out, I'm sure if and when they go (sooner rather than later I would guess) it sweeps Katz in as well.

Edgy MD May 30 2014 09:02 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Yeah, what Vic said is what I meant to hint at in my second paragraph above. And the way the economy has gone has left us with poorer populace, but a surfeit of youngish quillionaires who need a vanity investment to validate their existence, suggests this could certainly be a seller's market. US sports leagues being the cartels they are, there are few opportunities to buy in. A Eurobillionairre could buy a third division football squad and try and build it into a great asset. In the US, there are the haves and have-nots in sports franchises and those are legally protected stati. You can never buy the Louisville Bats and turn them into a powerhouse. Sucks.

Frayed Knot May 30 2014 09:45 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Darren Ravell (sp?)--a sports-business guy who's often the go-to interview for situations such as this and quite possibly the one Vic heard quoted--says that there's no way Ballmer can make money with this purchase price and that it is just a matter of him having a toy and looking good while doing so. On the other hand, similar quotes were floated back when Jerry Jones was buying the Cowboys for [outrageous sounding figure at the time] and now, if the Clips go for 2-bill, it spins the mind to know what the Cowboys would fetch if put on the market (and I'm betting there are a bunch of Cowboy fans who'd like to see Jerry's mind spun).

A Boy Named Seo May 30 2014 09:47 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Exclusive club, yes, but the NBA and NHL are even more desirable ownership opportunities for salary cap reasons.. Add in the huge LA market with a team that's already one of the 5 best in the league? All the better. $2B is a shit-ton of money, but Ballmer could certainly flip em for a profit in 10 years.

Edgy MD May 30 2014 09:49 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

I think Rovell's got a pretty sketchy track record.

Ceetar May 30 2014 11:13 AM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Edgy MD wrote: I think Rovell's got a pretty sketchy track record. yeah. And he's the guy that got offended some kid insulted him on twitter so tracked down that kids professor or teacher or something and tattled.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr May 30 2014 04:38 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

If you're looking to turn a profit, you buy dry cleaners, or self-storage joints. You don't buy a sports team in the nation's entertainment capital.

Frayed Knot May 30 2014 04:54 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Ceetar wrote: Yes but my point is the Lakers are the ceiling for the Clippers. With a little investment/staying the course/whatever you do in the NBA, the Clippers could easily be what the Lakers were a couple of years ago. Even Yankees fans don't buy tickets cause the team was good 5, 10, 40 years ago. Fans are at least 95% bandwagoners. But the true value of a franchise shouldn't rocket up and down based solely on their current roster, or their current standings, or even on a several year up/down trend, and the Clippers would have to rack up a helluva lot of winning seasons while loaded with marquee talent before they could even begin to see the level where the Lakers have been for decades now. There's simply not the built-in goodwill factor. One would think that smart money men would know this and not overspend just for the recent uptick but nothing about this sale--not the speed, not the amount, and certainly not the reason for it coming about in the first place--is normal here. And, btw, Sterling is now planning on suing the NBA over this whole mess for ... One Billion Dollars!!

Edgy MD May 30 2014 06:22 PM Re: Donald T. Sterling: Racist, Slumlord, Basketball Team Ow

Yeah, so much for the notion that the price was inflated to keep him from suing.