Clippers owner Donald Sterling banned for life, fined $2.5 million

World Today

The National Basketball Association banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life following his racist remarks that sparked outrage across United States. The league is also fining him two and a half million dollars.

His comments evoked sharp responses from players, coaches, fans and even the U.S. President. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said on Tuesday he will try to force the controversial owner to sell his franchise. Silver made no effort to hide his outrage over the comments. He said a league investigation found that the league’s longest-tenured owner was in fact the person on the audiotapes that were released over the weekend.

“We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling’s views,” Silver said. “They simply have no place in the NBA.”

Sterling acknowledged he was the man on the tape, Silver said. CCTV’s Yakenda MaGahee reports from Los Angeles with more.