Ka-Boom!! Adam Silver hammers Sterling

[79Warrior]

Silver not F-ing around.

[GoldenWarrior11]

Nice to hear him praise Doc as the perfect leader in this situation.  Wade also sent out a tweet showing his support for the decision.

The really was no other alternative in this situation.  There have been rumors for years regarding Sterling's wacky ways and it was time for it to end. 

Kind of weird punishment for Sterling.  Get fined $2.5 million, being forced to sell your team (which you paid $16 million for) and get probably $1 billion back in sale? 

[source?]

Clippers to Seattle?

[Tugg Speedman]

Not forced to sell.  Silver does not have that authority. 

Banned for life.  That means no attending games, practice or making business decisions about the team.

Not sure what this means ... might be like tossing a baseball manager from a game.  All that means is he goes from managing the team from the dugout to managing the team from the tunnel.

Of course he will continue to "run the team," just in a more discreet form.

[mu_hilltopper]

How can the NBA ban an owner from attending games?    I mean, if he said, FU, I'm sitting here, who is going to enforce that rule?   

The police can't do it, he's not breaking any criminal laws.  Building security?  I'd imagine they work for Sterling.

Special NBA SWAT team?

[mikekinsellaMVP]

Not forced to sell.  Silver does not have that authority.

But the owners do.  They need a 3/4 vote that he violated their constitution's requirement to conduct business in a reasonable and ethical manner.

[GGGG]

How can the NBA ban an owner from attending games?    I mean, if he said, FU, I'm sitting here, who is going to enforce that rule?   

The police can't do it, he's not breaking any criminal laws.  Building security?  I'd imagine they work for Sterling.

Special NBA SWAT team?

The NBA has authority to determine who can and cannot attend its games.  I am sure it is handled in the contracts with the individual franchises and the owners of the arenas.

[Tums Festival]

Not forced to sell.  Silver does not have that authority. 

Banned for life.  That means no attending games, practice or making business decisions about the team.

Not sure what this means ... might be like tossing a baseball manager from a game.  All that means is he goes from managing the team from the dugout to managing the team from the tunnel.

Of course he will continue to "run the team," just in a more discreet form.

Great overview by Lester Munson:

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/10852199/challenge-donald-sterling

Specifically regarding team ownership:

Q: Is it possible for Silver and the NBA to terminate Sterling's franchise ownership?

A: Yes. Under the terms of Paragraph 13 of the constitution, the owners can terminate another owner's franchise with a vote of three-fourths of the NBA Board of Governors, which is composed of all 30 owners. The power to terminate is limited to things like gambling and fraud in the application for ownership, but it also includes a provision for termination when an owner "fails to fulfill" a "contractual obligation" in "such a way as to affect the [NBA] or its members adversely." Silver and the owners could assert that Sterling's statements violated the constitution's requirements to conduct business on a "reasonable" and "ethical" level.

Any owner or Silver can initiate the termination procedure with a written charge describing the violation. Sterling would have five days to respond to the charge with a written answer. The commissioner would then schedule a special meeting of the NBA Board of Governors within 10 days. Both sides would have a chance to present their evidence, and then the board would vote. If three-fourths of the board members vote to terminate, then Sterling would face termination of his ownership. It would require a vote of two-thirds of the board to reduce the termination to a fine. Terminating a franchise would obviously be a drastic remedy, but the potential of the termination procedure gives Silver and the other owners vast leverage in any discussion with Sterling about an involuntary sale of his team.

[Tugg Speedman]

But the owners do.  They need a 3/4 vote that he violated their constitution's requirement to conduct business in a reasonable and ethical manner.

Correct, that will take weeks to organize.  But Silver cannot make this happen.

And the team is not worth $1 billion.  Forbes placed its value at $575 million (Forbes said the Bucks were worth $400 million and they sold for $550 million).

I'll bet that Magic Johnson does not get them team.  Apparently at least five groups have expressed interest in buying the team.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

That is a major, major message. Silver not messing around. Off topic but the title of the thread made me start singing Maxwells Silver Hammer.

[AlienWarrior]

Interesting. The guy just turned 80, 3 days ago.

[Tugg Speedman]

Great overview by Lester Munson:

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/10852199/challenge-donald-sterling

Specifically regarding team ownership:

Q: Is it possible for Silver and the NBA to terminate Sterling's franchise ownership?

A: Yes. Under the terms of Paragraph 13 of the constitution, the owners can terminate another owner's franchise with a vote of three-fourths of the NBA Board of Governors, which is composed of all 30 owners. The power to terminate is limited to things like gambling and fraud in the application for ownership, but it also includes a provision for termination when an owner "fails to fulfill" a "contractual obligation" in "such a way as to affect the [NBA] or its members adversely." Silver and the owners could assert that Sterling's statements violated the constitution's requirements to conduct business on a "reasonable" and "ethical" level.

Any owner or Silver can initiate the termination procedure with a written charge describing the violation. Sterling would have five days to respond to the charge with a written answer. The commissioner would then schedule a special meeting of the NBA Board of Governors within 10 days. Both sides would have a chance to present their evidence, and then the board would vote. If three-fourths of the board members vote to terminate, then Sterling would face termination of his ownership. It would require a vote of two-thirds of the board to reduce the termination to a fine. Terminating a franchise would obviously be a drastic remedy, but the potential of the termination procedure gives Silver and the other owners vast leverage in any discussion with Sterling about an involuntary sale of his team.

To me "yes' mean Silver can act alone.  Above says he cannot act alone, he needs 75% of the owners to vote with him.

So, can Silver force him to sell?  No.  But 75% of the owners can force him to sell.  Big difference

No league would give its commissioner that kind of power.

[tompopsicle]

If Silver was in charge at the time would he have had such a large punishment for Tim Hardaway and his comments on hating gay people? Equality, right? http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2766213

[GGGG]

To me "yes' mean Silver can act alone.  Above says he cannot act alone, he needs 75% of the owners to vote with him.

So, can Silver force him to sell?  No.  But 75% of the owners can force him to sell.  Big difference

No league would give its commissioner that kind of power.

I bet he had a conversation with each and every owner and fully understands where they stand on this issue.  He's a smart guy.

[Tums Festival]

To me "yes' mean Silver can act alone.  Above says he cannot act alone, he needs 75% of the owners to vote with him.

So, can Silver force him to sell?  No.  But 75% of the owners can force him to sell.  Big difference

No league would give its commissioner that kind of power.

During the press conference Silver said he was confident he had the votes.

[Tugg Speedman]

Great overview by Lester Munson:

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/10852199/challenge-donald-sterling

Specifically regarding team ownership:

Q: Is it possible for Silver and the NBA to terminate Sterling's franchise ownership?

A: Yes. Under the terms of Paragraph 13 of the constitution, the owners can terminate another owner's franchise with a vote of three-fourths of the NBA Board of Governors, which is composed of all 30 owners. The power to terminate is limited to things like gambling and fraud in the application for ownership, but it also includes a provision for termination when an owner "fails to fulfill" a "contractual obligation" in "such a way as to affect the [NBA] or its members adversely." Silver and the owners could assert that Sterling's statements violated the constitution's requirements to conduct business on a "reasonable" and "ethical" level.

Any owner or Silver can initiate the termination procedure with a written charge describing the violation. Sterling would have five days to respond to the charge with a written answer. The commissioner would then schedule a special meeting of the NBA Board of Governors within 10 days. Both sides would have a chance to present their evidence, and then the board would vote. If three-fourths of the board members vote to terminate, then Sterling would face termination of his ownership. It would require a vote of two-thirds of the board to reduce the termination to a fine. Terminating a franchise would obviously be a drastic remedy, but the potential of the termination procedure gives Silver and the other owners vast leverage in any discussion with Sterling about an involuntary sale of his team.

In reading this again, the NBA cannot force him to sell.  They can eliminate the Clippers from the league, going from 30 to 29 teams.

Of course that makes his franchise worth zero.  So yes he would sell to avoid this.  At least you hope he would.  He's 80 years old and no stranger to courts.  Would he fight?

[Bocephys]

Correct, that will take weeks to organize.  But Silver cannot make this happen.

And the team is not worth $1 billion.  Forbes placed its value at $575 million (Forbes said the Bucks were worth $400 million and they sold for $550 million).

I'll bet that Magic Johnson does not get them team.  Apparently at least five groups have expressed interest in buying the team.

Bill Simmons tweeted today that number couldn't be further off.  He estimated $1.5 billion.

[GooooMarquette]

During the press conference Silver said he was confident he had the votes.

Yep.  And given the near-universal support by the public, indvidual players, union officials, and at least one owner (Cuban), I'd say it's a foregone conclusion.  The owners are smart enough to realize the NBA would take a huge hit if they don't vote it through.

[AlienWarrior]

Sounds like this franchise can be had for a bargain basement price

[GGGG]

Bill Simmons tweeted today that number couldn't be further off.  He estimated $1.5 billion.

The Bucks just agreed to be sold for $550k.  With the impending TV contract, I can see $1.5B being closer to the actual price.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Nice to hear him praise Doc as the perfect leader in this situation.  Wade also sent out a tweet showing his support for the decision.

The really was no other alternative in this situation.  There have been rumors for years regarding Sterling's wacky ways and it was time for it to end. 

Kind of weird punishment for Sterling.  Get fined $2.5 million, being forced to sell your team (which you paid $16 million for) and get probably $1 billion back in sale? 

Doc has been getting a lot of love here in L.A. the last few days. Much respect and love, which is great to see.

[Tums Festival]

Correct, that will take weeks to organize.  But Silver cannot make this happen.

And the team is not worth $1 billion.  Forbes placed its value at $575 million (Forbes said the Bucks were worth $400 million and they sold for $550 million).

I'll bet that Magic Johnson does not get them team.  Apparently at least five groups have expressed interest in buying the team.

I'm guessing Silver will initiate the termination procedure. Once he does, the process moves pretty quickly:

"Any owner or Silver can initiate the termination procedure with a written charge describing the violation. Sterling would have five days to respond to the charge with a written answer. The commissioner would then schedule a special meeting of the NBA Board of Governors within 10 days. Both sides would have a chance to present their evidence, and then the board would vote. If three-fourths of the board members vote to terminate, then Sterling would face termination of his ownership."

[Bocephys]

The Bucks just agreed to be sold for $550k.  With the impending TV contract, I can see $1.5B being closer to the actual price.

Not to mention the young nucleus and additional revenue from playoff games that the bucks couldn't offer.  Plus, LA >>> Milwaukee as a destination to attract free agents.

[ChicosBailBonds]

But the owners do.  They need a 3/4 vote that he violated their constitution's requirement to conduct business in a reasonable and ethical manner.

Yes they do, question is whether the would vote for it.  As one veteran in the industry said to us last night, lots of owners out there have girlfriends, mistresses, etc and they don't know what they've said, what has been recorded, etc, so they might not be too keen on that slipper slope.  Mark Cuban made that argument yesterday as well. 

[Tugg Speedman]

Bill Simmons tweeted today that number couldn't be further off.  He estimated $1.5 billion.

Is Simmons going to buy the team?  Reporters, like fans are always good at spending other people's money and telling others what they should pay for something.

Are the Clippers worth 300% the price Kohl sold the Bucks for last week?  Same league, same TV contract, same players same salary cap.  And both the Bucks and Clippers have sucked forever until the Clippers drafted Blake Griffin?

Can the difference between Milwaukee and LA really be $1 billion?  Or is it Blake Griffin?  If so, why is he not getting $100 or $200 million a year if he matters that much?