Donald Sterling is not a progressive thinker

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Black people can't be racist.

I kid you not. It is a very common argument in the liberal circles I run in.

I have a hard time believing that you run in any liberal circles.

 

[NDBoiler]

While I completely DO NOT agree with the statements of Mr. Sterling, I am deeply troubled that he is being crucified based on his comments in a private conversation. This was not a public scenario and as such, I really shudder to think of the ramifications of this. Who among us haven't said something in private or in jest that we would never say in public. (I know that this is not the case here). Not only do celebrities have to deal with pictures/video being taken while they are in private situations (case in point Erin Andrews) but also private conversations being recorded and made public. The court of public opinion has become a witch hunt and I for one am concerned about where this current path is leading our society. Personally, I feel that the person releasing this audio tape is a reprehensible individual who instead of being treated as a hero, should be shunned. Once again, I understand that Donald Sterling is a person who shouldn't be getting any sympathy here but the bigger picture is ugly.

I think this argument has some merit if we're talking about just an ordinary citizen, but we're not. Someone in a high profile position like Sterling whose actions can affect many people are held to a different standard than the average Joe on the street. They must answer to corporate sponsors, fans who collectively spend millions, and therefore have a higher level of responsibility and accountability to the public at large. If you or I make a racist comment on tape, it's not going to be on ESPN for the next month.

 

[irishfan]

Nobody's treating the leaker of the audio as a hero, in fact, most people I hear in even the most liberal of media are saying they should and probably will face criminal charges.

However, it doesn't matter now. It was leaked, it was awful, and people heard it. When you consider this douchebag's history, there was no going back. It's really that simple.

This 'slippery slope' argument is kind of bunk. Unless the future victim of this 'witchhunt' has a) a history of racist behavior, and b) power over the folks he is racist about, it's not the same thing.

This is open and shut. Players, fans, and sponsors would have bailed, and rightfully so. The leaker, if caught, will be punished. Done.

The slippery slope argument is that players or owners are going to say/do things in the future that people will be equally offended by as Sterling's comments, and this punishment is setting a very high precedent. What if an owner doesn't believe in gay marriage and the gay community wants him to sell his team? What is the NBA supposed to say? That sexual orientation discrimination pales in comparison to racism? What if an owner gets a DUI? What's the league supposed to day? Drunk drive and endanger lives all you want, that's not nearly as bad as being racist? Some people might think that being racist is much worse than discriminating based on sexual orientation or drunk driving, but I can guarantee not everyone does.

 

[anarin]

This whole thing is ridiculous. Racist owner illegally recorded by gold digging mistress. Sensitive overpaid athletes still cash checks from racist and make their own racist comments. New commissioner looking to make a mark; imposes a ridiculous ban that has all stemmed from invasion of privacy. What have we learned? This country will forgive athletes that murder, rape, kill animals, beat women and live lives of infidelity. But if someone speaks out against a race they arent a fan of? They are forever banned.

There truly is no hope for the human race.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

This whole thing is ridiculous. Racist owner illegally recorded by gold digging mistress. Sensitive overpaid athletes still cash checks from racist and make their own racist comments. New commissioner looking to make a mark; imposes a ridiculous ban that has all stemmed from invasion of privacy. What have we learned? This country will forgive athletes that murder, rape, kill animals, beat women and live lives of infidelity. But if someone speaks out against a race they arent a fan of? They are forever banned.

There truly is no hope for the human race.

Won't somebody think of the racists!?!?

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Won't somebody think of the racists!?!?

Would somebody PLEASE take up the call and represent the interests of those who harbor hate based on nothing but skin color!

This is America, damn ya

 

[irishfan]

This whole thing is ridiculous. Racist owner illegally recorded by gold digging mistress. Sensitive overpaid athletes still cash checks from racist and make their own racist comments. New commissioner looking to make a mark; imposes a ridiculous ban that has all stemmed from invasion of privacy. What have we learned? This country will forgive athletes that murder, rape, kill animals, beat women and live lives of infidelity. But if someone speaks out against a race they arent a fan of? They are forever banned.

There truly is no hope for the human race.

It's true. I mean I think what he said is horrible, but it doesn't compare IMO to Vick.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

It's true. I mean I think what he said is horrible, but it doesn't compare IMO to Vick.

Vick went to prison. Sterling just isn't allowed to capitalize off of a group he has bigoted feelings towards. I fail to see the comparison

Edit: I'm not trying to be a dick btw. I invite you to tell me what I'm missing

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

.

 

[Monk McGinn]

Would somebody PLEASE take up the call and represent the interests of those who harbor hate based on nothing but skin color!

This is America, damn ya

Can I play?!

 

[Jebediah Springfield]

 

[irishfan]

Vick went to prison. Sterling just isn't allowed to capitalize off of a group he has bigoted feelings towards. I fail to see the comparison

Comparison is Vick committed absolutely abhorrent crimes and got 0 ban. If an NBA player tomorrow got accused of the same crimes that Vick did, there would be an uproar if he wasn't banned for life as well.

 

[Monk McGinn]

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Agreed, when I posted I forgot he was still going to sell the team for a billion haha. However, it's kind of messed up someone can do nothing illegal and get banned for what they say, but Vick can fund a dog fighting ring and personally kill some of the dogs and he gets no ban.

Btw check my edited post in case there was any misunderstanding.

I have no illusions that what Vick did was alright but the dude went to prison for doing something illegal. He wasn't specifically banned by the NFL but he did miss a few seasons while serving time in prison. The law said he had served his time and the NFL let him play after. And someone correct me if I'm wrong but that cost Vick a lot of money per NFL sanctions.

You're correct that Sterling didn't do anything illegal (this time) but what he said is seriously wrong. You always seem like a very level headed poster so I'm curious to hear your opinion on a few things.

1) Is your only issue the NBA banning him or is it other things?

2) Is it fair for sponsors to pull out on the Clippers based on Sterling's comments?

3) Is it fair for players to want out of their contracts with the Clippers if he remains the owner? And, if so, should the NBA facilitate that?

4) What do you think would have been appropriate here?

I, of course, have my opinions, but I could be persuaded otherwise on a few things. I've just yet to see good arguments against my opinions in this case. I know that you and I read similar articles so I'm curious what you're thinking on a broader scope here.

Edit: and damnit you edited your post after I started typing haha. Oh well

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

Can I play?!

Clever girl

 

[BobD]

Sterling is a scumbag, but not the only one and they come in every color. His rights are being violated and I'm fine with that......karma.

 

[irishfan]

Btw check my edited post in case there was any misunderstanding.

I have no illusions that what Vick did was alright but the dude went to prison for doing something illegal. He wasn't specifically banned by the NFL but he did miss a few seasons while serving time in prison. The law said he had served his time and the NFL let him play after. And someone correct me if I'm wrong but that cost Vick a lot of money per NFL sanctions.

You're correct that Sterling didn't do anything illegal (this time) but what he said is seriously wrong. You always seem like a very level headed poster so I'm curious to hear your opinion on a few things.

1) Is your only issue the NBA banning him or is it other things?

2) Is it fair for sponsors to pull out on the Clippers based on Sterling's comments?

3) Is it fair for players to want out of their contracts with the Clippers if he remains the owner? And, if so, should the NBA facilitate that?

4) What do you think would have been appropriate here?

I, of course, have my opinions, but I could be persuaded otherwise on a few things. I've just yet to see good arguments against my opinions in this case. I know that you and I read similar articles so I'm curious what you're thinking on a broader scope here.

Edit: and damnit you edited your post after I started typing haha. Oh well

ya, my bad on the late edit to my post before haha....

To answer some of the questions, I don't really know what the solution here is. I don't think he should keep the team, because it simply wont work. No one will sponsor the team, no one will want to play for the owner, no one will want to coach for the owner, fans will boycott, etc. However, something about him being forced to sell it just rubs me the wrong way. Obviously his situation is a unique one cause of his past history, but like I referenced before, it would be odd for the NBA to issue a ban for racist talk while not doing so for an owner/player being discriminatory towards gays or towards a certain religion or for committing a crime.

I kind of like the idea of letting it play out. Fans and players boycott along with sponsors. He can't field a team, and is voted out due to that. Not due to what he said.

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

ya, my bad on the late edit to my post before haha....

To answer some of the questions, I don't really know what the solution here is. I don't think he should keep the team, because it simply wont work. No one will sponsor the team, no one will want to play for the owner, no one will want to coach for the owner, fans will boycott, etc. However, something about him being forced to sell it just rubs me the wrong way. Obviously his situation is a unique one cause of his past history, but like I referenced before, it would be odd for the NBA to issue a ban for racist talk while not doing so for an owner/player being discriminatory towards gays or towards a certain religion or for committing a crime.

I kind of like the idea of letting it play out. Fans and players boycott along with sponsors. He can't field a team, and is voted out due to that. Not due to what he said.

Yeah it's certainly an unusual situation. I'm sure other owners are chewing these exact issues over.

I'm just not sure, given the public outcry, how anything other than demanding that he sell the team is on the table.

Imagine you're an owner and voting whether Sterling should have to sell. Despite any reservations you have about it, can you trust that the vote will remain secret? If I'm Mark Cuban and it comes out that I voted against ousting Sterling, what are my fans/players/sponsors going to do?

Idk, it really is uncharted territory. It seems as if you think that if this plays out the market will lead to his inevitable ousting. I don't disagree. It sounds like you just think it should play out and I don't have a problem with jumping out in front of it.

Btw, I think it would be prudent for all professional leagues to go ahead and draft bylaws to cover this sort of thing. As you and others have mentioned, it isn't just race, but sexuality and other things are going to be a big deal for a while. Shoot, Dabo Swinney had to defend himself recently against criticism that he was forcing religion on players and that going to Clemson wasn't a good idea for non-Christians.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

It's smarter to kick him out now than to "let it play out" and cost the league and Clippers a bunch of money.

 

[Son of Kenmare]

This 'slippery slope' argument is kind of bunk. Unless the future victim of this 'witchhunt' has a) a history of racist behavior, and b) power over the folks he is racist about, it's not the same thing.

I hear what you are saying but does anyone really think that if a person who a) Doesn't have a history of racist behavior, and b) doesn't have power over the folks he is racist about, that the outcome wouldn't be the same? If the person making the comments is a public person, the result is the same. Think of the Mel Gibson rant and if it happened in private instead of public, do you really think that the result would have been different?

 

[pkt77242]

I hear what you are saying but does anyone really think that if a person who a) Doesn't have a history of racist behavior, and b) doesn't have power over the folks he is racist about, that the outcome wouldn't be the same? If the person making the comments is a public person, the result is the same. Think of the Mel Gibson rant and if it happened in private instead of public, do you really think that the result would have been different?

Part of the reason that the public outcry got so bad was how Sterling handled it.

So lets take a different sport such as hockey. If a hockey owner had never made any racist remarks before, and an audio tape like this one got leaked, I think that the owner probably could survive the fallout as long as they came outright away and owned it, apologized, talked about how what they said was wrong, and maybe penalized themselves right away (Since I don't want to harm my teams good name, I will suspend myself from interacting with the team for the next 3 months, or 6 months or year, whatever) and donate a few million dollars to an education fund for whatever race he offended. I could see where the commissioner of the NHL would agree with that punishment.

There are a couple of factors that worked against Sterling in this case
1. He has a history of being racist
2. His employees are of the same race that he went off about.
3. It is a slow time of the year in sports so this story could stay on the front page
4. It is the NBA's time of the year where they are front and center and he pissed on it's parade and it was hanging over the NBA's head.
5. Not only was there a chance that the Clipper's players might mutiny but that it could spread to other teams if their owners didn't stand up for them.
6. The Clippers were going to hemorrhage sponsors, and if the NBA didn't punish him severely enough they might start to lose sponsors.
7. The Clippers were going to struggle to find people who would want to play for them, coach them, etc which would basically ruin them.

I am sure that I am missing other points but it is late.

 

[vmgsf]

I think Silver AND the NBA owners together are making the smart and the correct BUSINESS decision. NBA revenue banning Sterling greater than NBA revenue merely punishing Sterling. Sponsors spoke quickly and loudly with their $$$ that Sterling had to go.

I think Sterling is a racist scumbag. But, the punishment seems excessive. However, the government is not punishing Sterling for his racist speech. His partners - the other owners - are going to force him out because keeping him would severely damage their own economic self-interests.

Ultimately, it is about the money. If you own a pro sports franchise do not do anything that will severely damage your fellow owners economic interests.

 

[rikkitikki08]

I'll take that bet, if and only if it's an anonymous vote. Don't have 1B to bet but i'll go all-in at 35M.

You got yourself a deal sir

 

[Huntr]

Would Sterling had been better off if he'd simply whipped her ass? Ray Rice says yes!

The intervention program allows first-time offenders to have charges against them dismissed after participating in the program and meeting certain conditions. The county prosecutor will decide whether Rice is allowed to enter the program.

If not, prosecutors have offered Rice a plea bargain that would spare him jail time if he participates in anger management counseling

Sterling had to go, but guys like Rice sliding under the radar and then getting off really burns me.

 

[Irish Insanity]

^IIRC Rice doesn't own a team. I don't agree with the growing number of athletes not being held accountable for their actions, but I'm not sure you could draw a comparison in the two situations in any aspect.

 

[ND NYC]

OT but i always wondered does LA really need the Clippers ?

that city cant its pro sports right. 2 mlb, 2 nba 1 nhl...and no nfl team?

what the hell is a 'Clipper' anyways?

 

[irishog77]

^IIRC Rice doesn't own a team. I don't agree with the growing number of athletes not being held accountable for their actions, but I'm not sure you could draw a comparison in the two situations in any aspect.

Granted they are 2 different sports, but the NBAPA (the players union) caused a big stir after Strerling's comments surfaced. Individuals within the union and the union itself made certain demands for punishment.

The union should then have the balls to call for similar justice when one of their own messes up.

 

[irishog77]

OT but i always wondered does LA really need the Clippers ?

that city cant its pro sports right. 2 mlb, 2 nba 1 nhl...and no nfl team?

what the hell is a 'Clipper' anyways?

The San Diego Clippers was where the Clipper name originated. For the sailing. The name made a ton of sense in San Diego. Still some in L.A.

 

[Huntr]

^IIRC Rice doesn't own a team. I don't agree with the growing number of athletes not being held accountable for their actions, but I'm not sure you could draw a comparison in the two situations in any aspect.

Frankly, I'm not sure how you can't compare the reaction to the 2 incidents. Sterling is almost universally excoriated for saying something awful, gets a lifetime ban and has to sell his property. Rice knocked out his then GF, but was barely a blip on the radar and will receive minimal punishment. It's stupid. As big of a scumbag as Sterling is, and he should have been held accountable by the NBA and everyone else a long time ago for his racist housing policies, domestic violence is a much, much bigger deal than simply saying, in effect, "You know, I don't like black people."

Goodell needs to drop the ban hammer on Rice and the NFLPA needs to support him on it, too. They need to send a message that that kind of stuff has to stop, like Silver has done w/Sterling. I am not confident of that happening.

 

[pkt77242]

Frankly, I'm not sure how you can't compare the reaction to the 2 incidents. Sterling is almost universally excoriated for saying something awful, gets a lifetime ban and has to sell his property. Rice knocked out his then GF, but was barely a blip on the radar and will receive minimal punishment. It's stupid. As big of a scumbag as Sterling is, and he should have been held accountable by the NBA and everyone else a long time ago for his racist housing policies, domestic violence is a much, much bigger deal than simply saying, in effect, "You know, I don't like black people."

Goodell needs to drop the ban hammer on Rice and the NFLPA needs to support him on it, too. They need to send a message that that kind of stuff has to stop, like Silver has done w/Sterling. I am not confident of that happening.

I agree that domestic violence is horrible and that a significantly stronger penalty is necessary. I think that if any person gets convicted of domestic violence they should get a 1/2 season suspension for the first attempt, and a full season for the 2nd. Having said that the Players Union will never go for it unfortunately.