Donald Sterling

[Brian Needham]

I like how Clippers players are all up in arms. Sterling has been known as a racist for YEARS, this is not a new thing..there have been countless people/witnesses that have come out and recounted his racism, much of the recounting done in a court of law. Every player that signed a contract to play for that team knew of his feelings, but overlooked them for the payday. Now that a stink is being made, its cool to ride the wagon and rail against the guy. He said a bunch of moronic crap, so what..his words really mean nothing, after all his players, mostly non white, are still collecting millions from him.

 

EX-FREAKING -ACTLY

 

they hate the man they sold themselves to. LMAO comical if you ask me.

[Jar11591]

Not defending this guy or his comments, because they were insanely ignorant, misguided and hateful. But as far as these players who are offended by this, are you so offended that you're willing to give up that million dollar paycheck and make a stand? I'm thinking no...The real loser, in just about everyone's eyes is Sterling. As it should be. Not the guys who make millions a year to play basketball and will continue to do so, whether Sterling continues owning the Clippers or not.

[Brian Needham]

at the bottom of the screen I see JFrancho is reading this thread............ so I am going to go teach people about jigs shortly.

[jbsoonerfan]

at the bottom of the screen I see JFrancho is reading this thread............ so I am going to go teach people about jigs shortly.

 

 

I better avoid the thread.

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I like how Clippers players are all up in arms. Sterling has been known as a racist for YEARS, this is not a new thing..there have been countless people/witnesses that have come out and recounted his racism, much of the recounting done in a court of law. Every player that signed a contract to play for that team knew of his feelings, but overlooked them for the payday. Now that a stink is being made, its cool to ride the wagon and rail against the guy. He said a bunch of moronic crap, so what..his words really mean nothing, after all his players, mostly non white, are still collecting millions from him.

Well said sir. Well said.

[SirSnookalot]

We're a Republic not a democracy, but point taken.

You are absolutely correct.

[SirSnookalot]

I also find funny:

 

people that auto condemn Sterling auto defended Phil Robertson.

I do see a difference, not condemning or condoning just evaluating what I think is going on.  Robertson offended a group of people but not his viewership, many agreed with him.  Sterling on the other hand offended, players, attendance,  tv viewers and the population as a whole.

 

2.5 million is a slap on the wrist, being banned is not and most likely will have to sell out.  He'll take his millions, move to the South of France and probably forget about it, lol.  IMO the penalty levied is to not to show any ethnic favoritism.  If Silver had let Sterling off any lighter I think Silver would be under fire, people be calling for his resignation.

[John G]

Let me see if I got this right. The man was clearly set up and he said some things (in private) that most people find offensive and for that....the NBA is going to try and steal his team.

What's next.......a team owner declares that he believes marriage should be between one man and one woman and what da ya know, the gay mafia is boycotting his sponsors and the league. Does the league try and steal his team too?

Well, in 2014 America, if you have the gall to proclaim that marriage is a one man one woman thing, you are labeled a bigot.

The NBA has known what he thinks for a long time and now they are trying to cover their butts. I hope he sues the hypocrites and wins!

[Lund Explorer]

Let's get all of this right. 

 

1. Everyone has the right to their opinion.  Along with that, everyone else has the right to agree or disagree with that opinion.

 

2. Any organization has the right to create a code of conduct whether it is the NBA, UAW, or Mickey-D's.  When that organization has more than one owner, and those owners form a code of conduct, it does so with the understanding that the actions of one owner can cause financial harm to all of the owners operating under that group's name.

 

3. When a person purchases a team in an organized sports league, they are responsible to know and understand the terms of the code of conduct.  If the code changes after they have purchased their franchise, they have the right to leave the organization.  The NBA's current code of conduct was voted into existence by a majority of the owners.  As far as I know, the very heart of what makes this country so great is the premise that the majority rules.

 

4. No one has told Mr. Sterling that he cannot believe in whatever he wants to believe.  What 29 other owners have said, is that his beliefs have the potential to harm their team's financial viability.  The others have the right to protect their own interests within the rules setup in the code of conduct they all had to agree to before this incident took place. 

 

5. The fans, the players, or the advertisers have the right to be upset with the guy's comments, but none of them have the right to remove his ownership rights.  And they haven't! 

 

6. Players and fans have protested, and advertisers have pulled their financial support.  They are all legally allowed to do so, and the other owners clearly knew that if they didn't act, that the protests could expand to include them.

 

As far as I am concerned, I could care less what this guy thinks, says, or does.  If he wants to risk marriage, his name, or his wallet, that is up to him.  He isn't the first elderly old codger that has been taken to the cleaners by some bimbo less than half his age, and he most likely won't be the last one.  Mr. Sterling has already been sued numerous times, has paid out untold millions to the victims of his actions, and yet he can't seem to learn from his past mistakes.

 

Too bad, so sad, the old dinosaur can't adapt.

[F14A-B]

I am a big time Larry Bird fan..... Hummm..

[Brian Needham]

snook, I agree with the Silver did it to save himself.

 

but I think the two instances are different...... Robertson is a contracted employee and the business (A&E) can let him go for anything at anytime

 

Sterling OWNS the business, who can strip the onwer of ownership rights? granted he would probably lose tone of money in sponsorship but that is Sterlings issue and nobody elses....... this is a great parrelle to Chick-fil-a..... as both owns the joint and can do whatever they want.

 

now if the NBA wants to interject the whole "league code of conduct" then they need to enforce it on their players as well.......and I dont see that happening.

 

again all I want is the knife to cut both ways.

 

people want to make this ALL about race and it really isnt, IMO.

[deaknh03]

How about this: The league has wanted hm out for years, he owns a team in a high profile city, but underfunds it and keeps it a laughingstock, costing the league money. They have their chance, and jumping on it. Dont think for a second this isnt being driven by the other owners and the "new" owner isnt already "chosen".

[flyfisher]

It's a little different in a sports franchise though as when you buy the team you assume the rules that come along with team ownership.  I equate it to an HOA.  You buy a house with an HOA and they can tell you what kind of mailbox you have or color to paint your door.  If you don't like it then you shouldn't buy a house there.  The same goes with the NBA, in essence you are a sub contractor to the league and if 3/4 of the owners say you shouldn't be there then you are forced to sell.  THe NBA also has the authority to take over control of a team in extreme circumstances like they did with New Orleans.

 

The guy is a sleezeball confirmed racist and paid the highest judgement ever in a housing discrimination case but this is the first time anything involved the league directly and was proven by their research.  I fully expect this to get to the point of litigation and will eb lengthy as he has a history of long drawn out court battles.

 

He should sell the franchise that he bought for about 12M in the 80s and sell it for what it is worth according to Forbes at 500M and go buy an island somewhere.....

[Brian Needham]

Flyfisher I figured it was like an HOA deal, thanks for explaining that because I didnt know exactly how it worked.

 

but I dont see how him telling his girlfriend (that he bought and paid for) to stay away from his players (that he bought and paid for) is the league's business.

 

I would be interested to see how it plays out in court..... because if he had a reasonable expectation of privacy during the conversations then they will not be able to use it against him, right or wrong.

[Brian Needham]

How about this: The league has wanted hm out for years, he owns a team in a high profile city, but underfunds it and keeps it a laughingstock, costing the league money. They have their chance, and jumping on it. Dont think for a second this isnt being driven by the other owners and the "new" owner isnt already "chosen".

 

you right!!!!

 

the league is so ticked the Laker's didnt make the playoffs they are taking it out on the Clippers!!

LMAO

funny but probably true!

[slonezp]

We are all entitled to our own opinions as long as our opinions are the same as everybody else's. Why is the girlfriend not being criticized for taping a private conversation and releasing it to the public with intent on harming Sterling? 

[MCS]

We are all entitled to our own opinions as long as our opinions are the same as everybody else's. Why is the girlfriend not being criticized for taping a private conversation and releasing it to the public with intent on harming Sterling? 

 

I believe in some states, here in FL, it is illegal to tape a person without them knowing. He should have grounds to file a lawsuit. 

[deaknh03]

I believe in some states, here in FL, it is illegal to tape a person without them knowing. He should have grounds to file a lawsuit. 

He can sue her, but for what? Everything she has is his..The league on the other hand, they used information already made public, he will have a tough time with that.

[Lund Explorer]

Flyfisher I figured it was like an HOA deal, thanks for explaining that because I didnt know exactly how it worked.

 

but I dont see how him telling his girlfriend (that he bought and paid for) to stay away from his players (that he bought and paid for) is the league's business.

 

I would be interested to see how it plays out in court..... because if he had a reasonable expectation of privacy during the conversations then they will not be able to use it against him, right or wrong.

 

I don't see his lawyers using the "Bought and Paid For" defense.  Besides the fact that owning another person has been slightly frowned on for the last 150 years in most of the country, Sterling's family has already taken her to court.  It seems that they think the woman embezzled a million or so dollars (including a home) from the doddering old geezer.  Kind of like he was thinking with the wrong head!

[A-Jay]

How about this: The league has wanted hm out for years, he owns a team in a high profile city, but underfunds it and keeps it a laughingstock, costing the league money. They have their chance, and jumping on it. Dont think for a second this isnt being driven by the other owners and the "new" owner isnt already "chosen".

 

Like I said ~ Corruption & Greed.

 

A-Jay

[Brian Needham]

I don't see his lawyers using the "Bought and Paid For" defense.  Besides the fact that owning another person has been slightly frowned on for the last 150 years in most of the country, Sterling's family has already taken her to court.  It seems that they think the woman embezzled a million or so dollars (including a home) from the doddering old geezer.  Kind of like he was thinking with the wrong head!

 

no matter how you say......make no mistake, they are bought and paid for.

 

no doubt he was thinking with the wrong head.

He has a expectation of privacy for any conversation between him and another person in that setting . I would tend to think it is an easy defense.

Granted the NBA has used it against him due it being made public, but it is the way it is obtained and released that is the kicker, and cant be used against him.

 

If I go on a racist rant here in the public boards I am fried...... but if I do it in a consenting personal phone call to another board member, it cant be used against me in message board dealings.

[Brian Needham]

hell, he told her she could sleep with them, he didnt want her fraternizing in public...... I just dont see how that is unreasonable.

 

every relationship has rules, right?

 

It really aint none of our business either way.

[einscodek]

We are all entitled to our own opinions as long as our opinions are the same as everybody else's. Why is the girlfriend not being criticized for taping a private conversation and releasing it to the public with intent on harming Sterling? 

Yes though he has racist remarks under his belt, this is a "free" country with freedom of speech.

He is "free" to be an ugly racist.. and we should not have our freedoms restricted just because some of us choose to be free with the ugly side.

Freedom is paramount.

We've already had plenty of our freedoms already taken over the last hundred years.. dont dare take away arms nor speech.

[Lund Explorer]

no matter how you say......make no mistake, they are bought and paid for.

 

no doubt he was thinking with the wrong head.

He has a expectation of privacy for any conversation between him and another person in that setting . I would tend to think it is an easy defense.

Granted the NBA has used it against him due it being made public, but it is the way it is obtained and released that is the kicker, and cant be used against him.

 

If I go on a racist rant here in the public boards I am fried...... but if I do it in a consenting personal phone call to another board member, it cant be used against me in message board dealings.

 

Sorry about that first part, I should have added an LOL smiley to it.

 

As far at what is admissible or not with regards to the taped conversation, I'm not a lawyer, so who knows.  I know a wire tap isn't legal in a criminal trial unless a search warrant allowed for it.  This is a civil matter so it may or may not be different.

 

I held off commenting here because to be quite honest, I think it's a complete joke.  An 80 year old feeling his oats hires a 30 year old, gives her a one million dollar home, all other kinds of perks and benefits cash wise.  Then the old guy's family, probably fearing the loss of inheritance, takes her to court on embezzlement charges.  The wife and half the team's office swear nothing is going on.  Then the  gold digger in question then releases taped conversations where the old coot is threatening her because of who she is hanging out with.  Fans, media, athletes, and more than a few advertisers are all up in arms, and the other NBA owners, through their hired commissioner decides the side show is a drag on their product and wants to give him the heave-ho.

 

Nobody in this whole situation is going to scream winner at the end of this, if it ever ends.  The entire family and the bimbo are getting their dirty laundry drug out in the streets.  35% of the public thinks the NBA doesn't have the right to kick this guy out, and the other 65% know that this won't cure the problem of racism in either the NBA or in life in general no matter how it ends.  Even if the old man does get the NBA to halt a forced sale, I can't imagine that some of his heirs aren't going to be back in court trying to take control of his assets.

 

At the end of the day, I'll bet most of us have problems of our own to deal with.  I know I do.  The only possible plus out of this story is that it gives us the chance to be thankful we aren't personally involved in this circus!

[Brian Needham]

Lund....... that is about as spot on as you can get right there!!!!!