Sterling Deserves Lifetime Ban

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been banned for life from the National Basketball Association (NBA) and fined 2.5 million dollars due to racist comments recorded by V. Stiviano, according to CNN.

Sterling told Stiviano, “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?…Don’t put him [Johnson] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me.  And don’t bring him to my games.”

Being banned from the NBA for life means that Sterling cannot attend any NBA games, buy NBA merchandise, or own any NBA team. Sterling can still watch NBA games on television. I believe that Sterling deserves the lifetime ban because his racism is unacceptable for an NBA owner, who represents not only his team but the league.

People need to be accepting of others’ race, and religion. Everyone has feelings, and every person deserves equal treatment. Basketball cannot operate without the equality of the players, coaches, and owners. According to USA Today, 76% of the NBA players are African Americans, and although the NBA is diverse, Sterling’s comment made the NBA seem intolerant of other races. His actions reflect badly on the league, justifying the punitive measures.

Sterling has also been accused to offensive behavior in the past. According to The Huffington Post, the incidents stretch back to the 1980’s. Sterling was also involved in a housing discrimination lawsuit in 2009, related to his attempts to evict blacks and Hispanics from his properties.

Sterling’s lifetime ban is a fair punishment. His long history of racist comments shows a persistent pattern. He has made no change in his views, and should not be allowed to participate in the NBA, a league that should be a symbol of tolerance and equity.