# NBA Owner's Racism Exposed **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 26, 2014, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069 "2014-04-26T18:41:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/221 "2014-04-30T04:13:31Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Really? Getting banned from watching live basketball seems pretty meh as punishments go. People get banned from bars and clubs for bad behavior all the time. Is there something fundamentally wrong with that as well? Yes. Banned for life assumes no chance of rehabilitation. It’s an absurd overreaction. Per my earlier question, should Byrd have been banned for life from government? He was much, much worse than this guy. Should the Senate have refused to seat him? This is brought up all the time on this MB by the right wingers and we’re always told that, well, he changed and so it’s OK. Why does this guy not get the chance to change? ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/222 "2014-04-30T04:14:16Z")
This wasn’t a “thought crime”. Sterling was pressuring another person to cut black people out of their social group. Thats something that has I’ll effects in the real world, not just Sterling’s thoughts. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/223 "2014-04-30T04:23:29Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Yes. Banned for life assumes no chance of rehabilitation. It’s an absurd overreaction. > > Per my earlier question, should Byrd have been banned for life from government? He was much, much worse than this guy. Should the Senate have refused to seat him? This is brought up all the time on this MB by the right wingers and we’re always told that, well, he changed and so it’s OK. Why does this guy not get the chance to change? I think your analogy is kind of weak. The right of the people of w Virginia to choose their senate rep is pretty far from an old billionaires right to see live pro basketball. But sometimes you fuck up enough that people aren’t willing to forgive you. Especially in cases like this, where you’ve already claimed to have been “rehabilitated” before, only to fuck up again. Plus, its not like the lifetime ban is written in stone somewhere. In the unlikely case that Sterling runs into a burning building to save a black orphan or otherwise convinces the world he’s rehabilitated, I’m sure the NBA is capable of rescinding the ban. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > Yes. Banned for life assumes no chance of rehabilitation. It’s an absurd overreaction. > > Per my earlier question, should Byrd have been banned for life from government? He was much, much worse than this guy. Should the Senate have refused to seat him? This is brought up all the time on this MB by the right wingers and we’re always told that, well, he changed and so it’s OK. Why does this guy not get the chance to change? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/224 "2014-04-30T04:23:27Z")
Chance to change? He has a long history of racist comments and (worse) actions. He could have stopped adding to it at any time. As far as Robert Byrd goes- a ban is not necessary when the public has a vote. A former Klansman would never get elected to Congress today. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/225 "2014-04-30T04:43:25Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > This wasn’t a “thought crime”. Sterling was pressuring another person to cut black people out of their social group. Thats something that has I’ll effects in the real world, not just Sterling’s thoughts. Actually no, he wasn’t pressuring her to cut black people out of her life. he told her to fuck whoever she wants. If we’re hanging people for life then what do you do with someone who had a problem with Himeys in NYC or wanted to cut Obama’s balls off? Does he get to go to the games? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/226 "2014-04-30T04:55:06Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Actually no, he wasn’t pressuring her to cut black people out of her life. he told her to fuck whoever she wants. Right. He doesn’t want to rent apartments to them or have them at Clippers games or see then on her Instagram feed because … something. That’s all. > [@](#): > > If we’re hanging people for life Doing what now? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/227 "2014-04-30T04:58:47Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Right. He doesn’t want to rent apartments to them or have them at Clippers games or see then on her Instagram feed because … something. That’s all. And Senator Bird was a grand wizzard of the KKK. He was just in charge of making laws and stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/228 "2014-04-30T05:01:33Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Actually no, he wasn’t pressuring her to cut black people out of her life. Your bad at quoting. “Their social group” == “her life”. > [@](#): > > If we’re hanging people for life then what do you do with someone who had a problem with Himeys in NYC or wanted to cut Obama’s balls off? Does he get to go to the games? " hanging people for life"? But people who are racist in other contexts should also suffer social consequences. Obviously getting kicked out of basketball games specifically isn’t something that’s universally applicable. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/229 "2014-04-30T05:06:25Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > But people who are racist in other contexts should also suffer social consequences. Obviously getting kicked out of basketball games specifically isn’t something that’s universally applicable. uh… KKK Grand Wizard… United States SENATOR. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/230 "2014-04-30T05:31:24Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > uh… KKK Grand Wizard… United States SENATOR. I’m not sure what point your trying to make. Mace’s point with Byrd was that people were willing to forgive his racism decades after the fact. Sterlings racism and the social consequences he’s suffering both postdate the 1940s by a considerable margin. If Sterling manages not to get caught being a racist asshole for the next 70 years, I certainly think the NBA can revisit his ban. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/231 "2014-04-30T05:34:57Z")
Its an old boys’ network, just like the owners of the NFL and MLB. You think these guys care about racism? Its playoff time in the NBA and there are hundreds of millions of TV dollars at stake. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sterling got a phone call that went something like this. “Hello Don?, This is (super confidant representing the owners). How are ya Don?” Sterling: “Well you know I’m…” Confidant: “Don, look. You know we’re in the midst of the play-offs and there’s the TV compensation we have to look at. We can’t afford to have the players go on strike.” Sterling: “Yeah I know, but…” Confidant: “Look Don, you still own the Clippers, you’re still an owner, so you can understand the concerns of the other owners, can’t you?.” Sterling: “Yeah but…” Confidant: “Look, let’s make this easy. Take the hit and if push comes to shove and you have to divest, we’ll put together a group of investors. You paid what, 12 mil for the team? The value of the Clippers, being in L.A, is close to a billion. We won’t leave you hanging, just take the hit.” Sterling: “Yeah but…” Click. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/232 "2014-04-30T06:44:08Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > I’m not sure what point your trying to make. John’s point. Banned for life assumes no chance of rehabilitation. It’s an absurd overreaction. Byrd would never have been Senator. Jesse Jackson would be banned from whatever the city of NY could manage to ban him from. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/233 "2014-04-30T07:15:48Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > John’s point. Banned for life assumes no chance of rehabilitation. It’s an absurd overreaction. Byrd would never have been Senator. Jesse Jackson would be banned from whatever the city of NY could manage to ban him from. Being banned by the city of new York isn’t a social consequence, its a legal one. There are forms of racism that are subject to legal penalties, for example, housing discrimination. Sterling was guilty of housing discrimination, paid his fine, and that was indeed the end of it. But for making racist statements, the consequences are purely social. In this case, a private organization has tossed Sterling out. Its the nature of social consequences that they aren’t going to be standardized. Some places will be quicker to forgive, some won’t ever do so. I don’t think this is particularly problematic, but even if it was, its not really avoidable. The NBA is saying they aren’t likely to forgive Sterling. The voters of w Virginia apparently did forgive Byrd. Maybe Sterling will live long enough to convince the NBA he deserves a second (or I guess, third) chance. But I don’t have a problem with them making the penalty they decided on not have any expiration date. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/234 "2014-04-30T09:52:25Z")
> [@chargerrich](#): > > I openly admitted that I had not heard the whole recording and apologized for making a comment beforehand. At this point, you do not want to win any argument you simply want to badger thinking you are being cute by being selective in your reading. I am not impressed. > > If I state my stance is that all racism should be treated harshly and equally, you either agree or disagree, anything else including personal attacks is simply you being an arrogant prick. > > So congrats, you win tough guy you are the better internet asshole. > > Since I do not do anonymous message board fights so I will remove myself from the “dialogue”. > > Happy flaming elsewhere. Insults are only allowed in the Pit. You’ve been here long enough that you should know that, so consider this a warning for you. Don’t do it again. ---
**Author:** ![Roundabout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dec6dc/32.png) [@Roundabout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roundabout)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/235 "2014-04-30T12:16:10Z")
Not surprising. The NBA is modern day slavery. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/236 "2014-04-30T12:19:13Z")
I found the owners statements offensive and disgusting. However, I’m equally disgusted and appalled that a private conversation can be used to destroy someone. How far are we going to take political correctness. Should we bug everybody’s bedroom and make sure they never dare say one word we find offensive? Better yet, lets monitor brainwaves for any inappropriate thoughts while we’re at it. I could understand banning this guy if he had made these types of bigoted statements in a tv interview or even to a group of people. But a conversation with one person is private. imho the BBC has a good article questioning the fairness of a lifetime ban. I bolded a statement that struck a chord with me. We do pretend to value independent thought in this country. Unless of course we find that thought incompatible with our own sense of righteousness. > **[A swift punishment, but is it a just one?](https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-27214773)** > > The NBA's decision to punish Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for racist comments has sparked a debate over whether a bad precedent has been set. > [@](#): > > As quickly as support of Mr Silver’s announced punishment rolled in, the praise for Mr Silver’s actions were far from universal. A common theme was a concern that the NBA’s decision set a bad precedent, that private comments should not be grounds for public disciplining. > > “It’s not a First Amendment issue,” tweets TruthRevolt’s Ben Shapiro. “It’s a ‘do we want to live in a country where your private thoughts are cause for your destruction’ issue.” > > \*\*He continues: “Now that Sterling’s head is on a pike, can we can all go back to pretending that we defend privacy and views with which we disagree?” > \*\* > Conservative radio host and columnist Larry Elder also took to Twitter: “Private thoughts + private recording = force sale of private property!!!” > > Dan Calabrese, writing on former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain’s website, takes issue with the “process” used to punish Mr Sterling. > Continue reading the main story > “Start Quote > > ``` > The mainstream fanned the flames, enraging the angry black mob looking for a quick solution, a sacrificial lamb” > > ``` > > Jason Whitlock ESPN > > “The things Sterling said were, he thought, being said in private to a person with whom he had a personal relationship,” he writes. “He did not know he was being recorded. It was not his intention to say them for public consumption. But they were leaked, and he is now being banned for the things he said - he thought - in private.” ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/237 "2014-04-30T12:28:08Z")
Billionaires like Sterling benefit from almost zero accountability in out society. So long as they keep their mouths shut in private they can act on their reprehensible beliefs and fuck with our lives as much as they want . If the consequences for Sterling constituted something that actually affected his ability to feed himself and support his family, u might before circumspect, but as it stands Sterling hasn’t really been hurt in any significant way. So this doesn’t trouble me as much as if Sterling had been electronically monitoring his own employees’ private conversations and firing them on that basis. But people like Sterling are the ones that hold power over all of us. I am comfortable curbing such power in this way. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/238 "2014-04-30T12:33:28Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I found the owners statements offensive and disgusting. However, I’m equally disgusted and appalled that a private conversation can be used to destroy someone. How far are we going to take political correctness. Should we bug everybody’s bedroom and make sure they never dare say one word we find offensive? Better yet, lets monitor brainwaves for any inappropriate thoughts while we’re at it. > > I could understand banning this guy if he had made these types of bigoted statements in a tv interview or even to a group of people. But a conversation with one person is private. imho > > the BBC has a good article questioning the fairness of a lifetime ban. I bolded a statement that struck a chord with me. We do pretend to value independent thought in this country. Unless of course we find that thought incompatible with our own sense of righteousness. > [A swift punishment, but is it a just one? - BBC News](http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-27214773) When a statement becomes public, I think it’s reasonable that private organizations like sports leagues and other businesses might choose to disassociate themselves. Imagine he had said something even worse – like “Hitler was right – I’m glad those Jews are dead!” (yes, I know he’s Jewish) or “we need to go back to slavery”. Once it becomes public, private organizations may have a legitimate _business interest_ in separating themselves from someone who says such a thing, even though it was in private (at first). The NBA had little choice, from a business perspective, if it concluded that keeping Sterling would cost them serious money. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/239 "2014-04-30T12:34:20Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I found the owners statements offensive and disgusting. However, I’m equally disgusted and appalled that a private conversation can be used to destroy someone. And by destroy of course you mean “mildly inconvenience” right? ---
**Author:** ![enomaj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@enomaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enomaj)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2014, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069/240 "2014-04-30T12:37:43Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Well, Jordan did punch Steve Kerr. Plus that shot he hit over Craig Ehlo had to hurt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-owners-racism-exposed/687069.md?page=13)