Celtics Owners Issue Statement On Donald Sterling's Lifetime Ban From NBA
BOSTON (CBS) -- On Tuesday afternoon, NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a lifetime ban and $2.5 million fine to Clippers owner Donald Sterling for his racist remarks made in a recorded telephone call.
Shortly after the punishment was announced, Celtics managing partners Wyc Grousbeck, H. Irving Grousbeck, Stephen Pagliuca and Robert Epstein issued the following statement:
"The entire Boston Celtics organization and our ownership group fully support the decisive action taken by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver today. The Celtics stand for inclusion and equality, and we are proud to be a part of a league that shares the same values."
The Celtics' statement was in line with many other teams' official announcements following Silver's press conference.
Knicks owner James Dolan said: ""I have been in touch with the NBA and fully support Commissioner Silver's decision. I applaud Adam for acting quickly and decisively in appropriately addressing these disgusting and offensive comments. This kind of behavior has no place in basketball, or anywhere else, and we as a league must stand together in condemning this ignorance."
Outspoken Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was succinct in showing his support via Twitter:
Phoenix Suns managing partner Robert Sarver said: "I applaud the actions taken today by Commissioner Silver in response to the disturbing comments made by Donald Sterling. Commissioner Silver's decision upholds the principles of diversity, tolerance and respect for all people that the NBA and Phoenix Suns represent. The Commissioner has my full support."
The Clippers' official website consisted solely of the words "We Are One" above the team logo.
Silver said at his press conference that he will urge the NBA owners to force Sterling to sell the team.
"I fully expect to get the support I need from the other NBA owners I need to remove him," Silver said.
Sterling has owned the Clippers since 1981.
