Who's Going To Buy The Clippers

[Winehole23]

The lesson of Donald Sterling seems to extend no further than Donald Sterling, and stretches no earlier than the revelations of the past week. In fact, injustice existed longitudinally and la udinally, with the damage done by the NBA’s inaction reaching beyond that league’s offices. If the NBA had punished Sterling a long time ago, would Major League Baseball have approved Astros owner Jim Crane, despite his company having paid a multimillion-dollar settlement for allegedly having engaged in discriminatory behavior?

same

[FromWayDowntown]

same

There is, undoubtedly, the practicality at this point that the NBA now has two marquee franchises in what is no worse than the 2nd most desirable media market in this nation and likely has grave fear that the owner of one of those franchises -- a known lothario and cheapskate who's primary interest in owning a team has long seemed to be only the self-aggrandizement he gains from it and the long-term investment it represents (but, until recently, not so much with winning or even being compe ive) -- will revert to past form and deprive the league at some point down the road of the enviable position it now finds itself in by making one of LA's teams undesirable again. I'm sure there's opportunism here to find a more aggressive owner who can likely maintain the compe iveness of the Clippers over the long term; that would certainly be in the league's best interests, one would think.

I don't think that's the sole basis for Sterling's discipline, but I think it would be foolish to believe that it isn't a cir stance that's been considered.

[Winehole23]

expediency and justice get tangled up.

justice has to pick its spots: total enforcement would be not only impractical, but undesirable.

[TDMVPDPOY]

There is, undoubtedly, the practicality at this point that the NBA now has two marquee franchises in what is no worse than the 2nd most desirable media market in this nation and likely has grave fear that the owner of one of those franchises -- a known lothario and cheapskate who's primary interest in owning a team has long seemed to be only the self-aggrandizement he gains from it and the long-term investment it represents (but, until recently, not so much with winning or even being compe ive) -- will revert to past form and deprive the league at some point down the road of the enviable position it now finds itself in by making one of LA's teams undesirable again. I'm sure there's opportunism here to find a more aggressive owner who can likely maintain the compe iveness of the Clippers over the long term; that would certainly be in the league's best interests, one would think.

I don't think that's the sole basis for Sterling's discipline, but I think it would be foolish to believe that it isn't a cir stance that's been considered.

whats the difference between him fielding a cheakskate team to the 95% of the eastern teams thats currently has no business being in the playoffs being under .500?

[baseline bum]

There is, undoubtedly, the practicality at this point that the NBA now has two marquee franchises in what is no worse than the 2nd most desirable media market in this nation and likely has grave fear that the owner of one of those franchises -- a known lothario and cheapskate who's primary interest in owning a team has long seemed to be only the self-aggrandizement he gains from it and the long-term investment it represents (but, until recently, not so much with winning or even being compe ive) -- will revert to past form and deprive the league at some point down the road of the enviable position it now finds itself in by making one of LA's teams undesirable again. I'm sure there's opportunism here to find a more aggressive owner who can likely maintain the compe iveness of the Clippers over the long term; that would certainly be in the league's best interests, one would think.

I don't think that's the sole basis for Sterling's discipline, but I think it would be foolish to believe that it isn't a cir stance that's been considered.

Indeed. I would be against this if this was any other owner, but Sterling's gotta go.

[FromWayDowntown]

whats the difference between him fielding a cheakskate team to the 95% of the eastern teams thats currently has no business being in the playoffs being under .500?

None of the cheapskate teams in the East during 2013-14 plays its home games in Los Angeles, for one.

Also, the long history of incompetent management of the Clippers makes most of the "cheapskate" East teams of this past season seem like the Spurs. At least with those cheapskate East teams, there is some degree of real success in the fairly recent past:

Cleveland played in the East Finals as recently as 2009 and, of course, made the Finals in 2007.

Detroit played in 6 consecutive East Finals between 2003 and 2008, played in 2 Finals in 2004 and 2005, and won a le.

Boston played in the East Finals as recently as 2012 and in the NBA Finals in 2008 and 2010, winning the 2008 le.

Orlando reached the East Finals in 2009 and 2010 and played in the NBA Finals in 2009.

Philadelphia played a Game 7 of the East Semis in 2012 and at least reached the Finals in 2001.

Milwaukee and New York are the furthest removed from any real success, but the Bucks at least reached the East Finals in 2001 and were a win away from the Finals, and the Knicks played in consecutive conference finals in 1999-2000 and reached the NBA Finals in 1999.

[Spurminator]

Never ceases to amaze how quickly some of you will jump to the defense of billionaires losing their jobs for saying stupid things.

Save it for when one of them is sent to prison.

[CosmicCowboy]

Never ceases to amaze how quickly some of you will jump to the defense of billionaires losing their jobs for saying stupid things.

Save it for when one of them is sent to prison.

Who is jumping to Sterlings defense?

[Winehole23]

you did. you said the NBA's decision was unsupportable and would surely lose in court.

[CosmicCowboy]

you did. you said the NBA's decision was unsupportable and would surely lose in court.

wow

that's not defending Sterling.

You also are putting words in I didn't say. NBA can fine him and suspend him, but even though Sterling is an ass (in my opinion) they can't force him to sell his franchise because he said something politically incorrect,

[Winehole23]

they can't force him to sell his franchise because he said something politically incorrect

then you are defending him. just own it.

[Winehole23]

the desire to take an unpopular stand without openly taking it is understandable. social opprobrium inculcates timidity.

[boutons_deux]

Step 4: Expelling Sterling from the NBA and defending a possible lawsuit by Sterling

It is well known that some league officials and owners would like to see Sterling leave the NBA. Sterling has faced accusations of racism for years, including having to defend a housing lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice. The NBA also knows that wealthy NBA fans like Steve Ballmer and Chris Hansen—who sought to buy the Kings and relocate them to Seattle—would jump at the first chance to own an NBA team.

Forcibly removing Sterling from the NBA is unlikely to happen. The NBA's cons ution, which is confidential, reportedly contains language permitting owners to authorize the league to sell a team without an owner's consent. The language, SI.com is told, only covers very limited cir stances and these cir stances concern team finances -- namely, when an owner can't pay his bills.

There is reportedly no language authorizing the NBA to sell a team because of an owner's hurtful remarks or embarrassing behavior. Even if cons utional language could be construed to authorize a forced sale of the Clippers, NBA owners would likely be reluctant to do so given the precedent it would set.

Removing Sterling from the NBA, however, may not be necessary to effectively remove him from the Clippers. The NBA could suspend Sterling indefinitely and encourage him to sell the team. The Sacramento Kings were sold last year for an amount that equates to $534 million. It stands to reason the Clippers—which Sterling purchased in 1981 for $12.5 million—would be worth well in excess of $700 million.

The NBA could take a bolder step and take over the day-to-day operations of the Clippers, much like Major League Baseball did with the Dodgers and its embattled owner, Frank McCourt. The Dodgers, however, were experiencing payroll problems; there is no reason to believe the Clippers are experiencing any financial troubles.

The NBA must also be concerned about the possibility of Sterling suing the NBA and owners, such as for breach of the Clippers franchise agreement or for violations of federal and state an rust law. NBA franchise agreements contain language that limit the ability of owners to sue the NBA and other owners. This language is known as "waiver of recourse", which means that an owner, by virtue of owning an NBA team, voluntarily waives away legal recourses he or she might otherwise have against the NBA and owners.

The waiver would likely aid the NBA in regards to a contract breach claim, but courts are generally unwilling to extend waivers to an rust claims. A potential an rust claim by Sterling against the NBA would be that his compe ors (other NBA owners) and the NBA have conspired to expel him. By doing so, the logic goes, Sterling would have to sell his team at less than market value because prospective buyers would know that Sterling "has to" sell. As a result, he would attract lower bids. Under federal an rust law, any damages Sterling receives would be automatically multiplied by three. He may have additional claims under California an rust law.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba...am-silver-nba/

If Sterling stays and Clips bail, being able to sign only desperate d-leaguers, and Clip lose $100Ms, it's just a tax write off the Sterling. He obviously didn't care about winning for 30+ years, nor his rep as worst owner in pro sports.

[CosmicCowboy]

then you are defending him. just own it.

You are so full of . I'm saying the NBA can't force him to sell.

that is not defending Sterlings actions.

[Winehole23]

fair enough, your defense is limited to his ownership rights

[baseline bum]

Step 4: Expelling Sterling from the NBA and defending a possible lawsuit by Sterling

It is well known that some league officials and owners would like to see Sterling leave the NBA. Sterling has faced accusations of racism for years, including having to defend a housing lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice. The NBA also knows that wealthy NBA fans like Steve Ballmer and Chris Hansen—who sought to buy the Kings and relocate them to Seattle—would jump at the first chance to own an NBA team.

Forcibly removing Sterling from the NBA is unlikely to happen. The NBA's cons ution, which is confidential, reportedly contains language permitting owners to authorize the league to sell a team without an owner's consent. The language, SI.com is told, only covers very limited cir stances and these cir stances concern team finances -- namely, when an owner can't pay his bills.

There is reportedly no language authorizing the NBA to sell a team because of an owner's hurtful remarks or embarrassing behavior. Even if cons utional language could be construed to authorize a forced sale of the Clippers, NBA owners would likely be reluctant to do so given the precedent it would set.

Removing Sterling from the NBA, however, may not be necessary to effectively remove him from the Clippers. The NBA could suspend Sterling indefinitely and encourage him to sell the team. The Sacramento Kings were sold last year for an amount that equates to $534 million. It stands to reason the Clippers—which Sterling purchased in 1981 for $12.5 million—would be worth well in excess of $700 million.

The NBA could take a bolder step and take over the day-to-day operations of the Clippers, much like Major League Baseball did with the Dodgers and its embattled owner, Frank McCourt. The Dodgers, however, were experiencing payroll problems; there is no reason to believe the Clippers are experiencing any financial troubles.

The NBA must also be concerned about the possibility of Sterling suing the NBA and owners, such as for breach of the Clippers franchise agreement or for violations of federal and state an rust law. NBA franchise agreements contain language that limit the ability of owners to sue the NBA and other owners. This language is known as "waiver of recourse", which means that an owner, by virtue of owning an NBA team, voluntarily waives away legal recourses he or she might otherwise have against the NBA and owners.

The waiver would likely aid the NBA in regards to a contract breach claim, but courts are generally unwilling to extend waivers to an rust claims. A potential an rust claim by Sterling against the NBA would be that his compe ors (other NBA owners) and the NBA have conspired to expel him. By doing so, the logic goes, Sterling would have to sell his team at less than market value because prospective buyers would know that Sterling "has to" sell. As a result, he would attract lower bids. Under federal an rust law, any damages Sterling receives would be automatically multiplied by three. He may have additional claims under California an rust law.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba...am-silver-nba/

If Sterling stays and Clips bail, being able to sign only desperate d-leaguers, and Clip lose $100Ms, it's just a tax write off the Sterling. He obviously didn't care about winning for 30+ years, nor his rep as worst owner in pro sports.

NBA is ed and un able!

[SnakeBoy]

Brent Barry tweeted out a link to the NBA Cons ution and By-Laws a couple of hours ago. Looks legit to me:

http://mediacentral.nba.com/media/me...nd-By-Laws.pdf

If that's legit then I don't see anything that clearly allows the NBA to terminate his ownership. The only part that might apply is...

(a) Willfully violate any of the provisions of the
Cons ution and By-Laws, resolutions, or agreements of the
Association.

I guess lawyers can make any argument but it doesn't seem to me that Sterling "willfully" did anything.

[Spurminator]

You are so full of . I'm saying the NBA can't force him to sell.

that is not defending Sterlings actions.

If it makes you feel better, I agree that's not a defense of Sterling. There's plenty of room for debate on what the NBA can contractually do.

I was talking more about the claim that this is a violation of his Free Speech, race card overreactions, NBA being PC thought police blah blah blah... And especially the laughable idea that his comments weren't racist.

[leemajors]

If it makes you feel better, I agree that's not a defense of Sterling. There's plenty of room for debate on what the NBA can contractually do.

I was talking more about the claim that this is a violation of his Free Speech, race card overreactions, NBA being PC thought police blah blah blah... And especially the laughable idea that his comments weren't racist.

Wait, WC's take is laughable?

[Spurminator]

He continues to set the standard.

[pgardn]

Yes, I am saying that what Sterling said is not racist. It has racial overtones, but it was the girlfriend that kept interjecting race.

Did you listen to the two tapes of 15 minutes worth of time?

I did. I'll bet you only listened to snippets of it.

To call what he said racist is ignorant.

Your definition does not fit mine. And your definition of racism is incomplete therefore ignorant.
Power combined with prejudiced of one ethnic group concerning another another create the implication of superiority. One does not have to state the words superiority and power to imply it.

And so yes, Sterling clearly made racists statements. If you can't pick them out on your own I can't help you.

And how much would you like to bet?

[Wild Cobra]

Who's going to buy?

Maybe Oprah if a sale is forced.

[CosmicCowboy]

If there is a sale it will probably be to Magics group but it will be at Sterlings choice and not the NBa's.

[pgardn]

You bet I listened to snippets.

I listened to the whole thing 3 times in amazement that a man as seemingly daft as Sterling could make so much money.

Can I get some more juice for you honey?
The black Jews in Israel are treated like dogs...WTF?

[pgardn]

If there is a sale it will probably be to Magics group but it will be at Sterlings choice and not the NBa's.

Magic is such a Lakerman. I know he does not like young Buss but I can't see this.
And Sterling may play defeated old man or he may play hardball. He has options.