In the aftermath of Adam Silver’s announcement that Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been banned from the NBA for life and served a $2.5 million fine — the maximum penalty allowed under the league’s constitution — almost every owner in the NBA has officially voiced support for the decision.
Of the owners who have yet to release a statement either through their team’s website or their own official Twitter account, all have publicly denounced Sterling’s comments in the media.
“In light of the serious matter facing our league, a matter that transcends sports, the New Orleans Pelicans fully support the decisions made today by NBA commissioner Adam Silver and will fully support his recommendations moving forward,” Tom Benson, owner of the Pelicans, said in a statement.
Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive not only offered his support, but also posted a quote from Gandhi summing up his feelings of the situation on his Twitter account.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Vivek/status/461208090793107456 align=’center’%5D
Sterling will be forced to sell the Clippers if three-fourths (22) of the 29 other NBA owners vote in favor of Silver’s decision. Based on the support Silver has already garnered, it would be surprising if any teams voted against his decision or abstained from voting.
Below are statements from all 29 NBA owners.
Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics
Brooklyn Nets
Charlotte Bobcats
Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
Dallas Mavericks
Denver Nuggets
Detroit Pistons
Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets
Indiana Pacers
Los Angeles Lakers
Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Orleans Pelicans
New York Knicks
Oklahoma City Thunder
Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers
Phoenix Suns
Portland Trail Blazers
Sacramento Kings
San Antonio Spurs
Toronto Raptors
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards
