L.A. Clippers Owner Donald Sterling Banned: Hollywood, NBA Reacts

L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned from any association with the Clippers or the NBA, following surfaced audio of him allegedly telling girlfriend V. Stiviano not to publicly associate with black people, including Magic Johnson, and not to bring them to Clippers games.

ANALYSIS: Will The NBA Owners Really Force Donald Sterling to Sell LA Clippers?

Sterling has also been fined $2.5 million, the maximum allowed by the league, which will be donated to charities, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said at a press conference in New York on Tuesday. Silver also said he would try to force the sale of the team.

Since the audio surfaced, players, team owners and Hollywood stars have condemned Sterling, with some, like Johnson, vowing never to go to another Clippers game. After Silver’s verdict, Hollywood took to social media to share their thoughts on Sterling’s NBA fate.

Spike Lee, who had noted that Sterling has “mentality of a slave master,” posted, “And Now The Owners Have To Do The Same.” ESPN’s Mike Greenberg tweeted, “Donald Sterling has had this coming to him. For a long time. For things far worse than anything he said on that tape. This is a good day.” Piers Morgan joked, “I’d like to now host a live TV debate between Donald Sterling & @SHAQ . In a cage. No rules.” Questlove posted a photo to Instagram, saying, “We have not watched ANYTHING as a group like this since this….the OJ verdict.”

VIDEO: Oprah Slams Clippers Owner Donald Sterling: ‘A Plantation Mentality’

The Clippers also blacked out their website and Twitter account with a logo design that unifies the team with the Lakers:

Clippers website now blacked out showing “WE ARE ONE” with logo http://t.co/8QqBcXLyso pic.twitter.com/o4N6fsHlr9

— 89.3 KPCC (@KPCC) April 29, 2014

Larry King commented on Silver’s verdict during a Reddit AMA. “I completely agree with what Adam Silver did today. He was outstanding. I am a Clipper fan, I wasn’t going to let my children go to the game tonight, but now they will go. I know Donald Sterling, I’m embarrassed for him, I like his wife very much and she deserves better. This was a great decision. Great for the league, great for society. This is a historic day. Go Clippers!”

See what else Hollywood is saying about Donald Sterling’s NBA banishment:

Donald Sterling has had this coming to him. For a long time. For things far worse than anything he said on that tape. This is a good day.

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) April 29, 2014

I personally think Donald Sterling is gonna make a great Jabba the Hut.

— Alex Blagg (@alexblagg) April 29, 2014

Sitting with some of NBA’s greats as Commissioner Silver does the right thing. #oneLA pic.twitter.com/sQCvcW0uWt

— Eric Garcetti (@ericgarcetti) April 29, 2014

I’d like to now host a live TV debate between Donald Sterling & @SHAQ . In a cage. No rules.

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 29, 2014

Commissioner Silver thank you for protecting our beautiful and powerful league!! Great leader!! #BiggerThanBasketball #StriveForGreatness

— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 29, 2014

Commissioner Silver….STRONG…way to take charge and protect our great league.

— THREE (@DwyaneWade) April 29, 2014

Way to go, Commissioner Silver! The NBA stands for everybody!

— SHAQ (@SHAQ) April 29, 2014

‘Standing ovation’ for Commissioner Silver. Big time decision standing up for the league and it’s players. Now, Gotta see it through

— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) April 29, 2014

Now the Clippers players and fans can concentrate on the game tonight against the Warriors with Commissioner Silver’s decision.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 29, 2014

Current and former NBA players now know that in Commissioner Adam Silver we have a great leader leading our league.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 29, 2014

Now let’s hope that the other 29 owners do the right thing.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 29, 2014

I agree 100% with Commissioner Silvers findings and the actions taken against Donald Sterling

— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) April 29, 2014

I applaud NBA Comm. Adam Silver for announcing Donald Sterling’s Lifetime Ban from the NBA and Financial Penalty http://t.co/9gQLXzg7ge

— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) April 29, 2014