DONALD STERLING BANNED FOR LIFE BY THE NBA

(AP)- NBA Commissioner Adam Silver delivered the swiftest, strongest penalty he could, then called on NBA owners to force Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling to sell the team for making racist comments that hurt the league.

Sterling, 80, is banned for life from any association with the league or the Clippers, and was fined $2.5 million – the maximum allowable under the NBA constitution. If three-fourths of the other 29 owners agree to Silver’s recommendation, Sterling will be forced to sell the team he has owned since 1981.

Chris Paul, the Clippers’ All-Star point guard and the president of the players’ union, issued a brief statement before leading Los Angeles against the Warriors in Game 5 of their tied playoff series.

“In response to today’s ruling by the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver, my teammates and I are in agreement with his decision,” Paul said. “We appreciate the strong leadership from Commissioner Silver and he has our full support.”

Sterling’s comments – which were recorded by his girlfriend and released by TMZ on Saturday – harmed the league, Silver said. Sponsors were threatening to abandon the NBA, and criticism was coming from fans on social media and even the White House.

Silver said the ban applied only to Sterling, and there had been no discussions about whether he could sell to a family member.

The fine will be donated to organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts, Silver said. Sterling, with an estimated net worth of about $2 billion, did not comment, though Silver said he did not apologize for his remarks. Silver said Sterling confirmed that he was the person on the recording.

For Sterling to be forced to sell, 75 percent of NBA clubs would have to vote in favor of such a move. That means if 29 teams vote, Silver would have to get 22 yes votes.