Donald Sterling was set to receive an NAACP award. (USATSI)
More: Sterling banned for life | Latest updates | NBA news
The president of the Los Angeles chapter of the NAACP resigned Thursday after the organization came after fire for its decision to present now-banished Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling a lifetime achievement award, prior to the revelations that lead to Sterling's lifetime ban this week. From the AP:
Leon Jenkins was to present Sterling with a "lifetime achievement award" later this month. Jenkins rescinded that offer after a recording surfaced on which Sterling disparaged black men.
In a letter to the national leader of the nation's oldest civil rights organization, Jenkins wrote, "In order to separate the Los Angeles NAACP and the NAACP from the negative exposure I have caused the NAACP, I respectfully resign my position as President of the Los Angeles NAACP."
Jenkins wanted to give Sterling a "lifetime achievement award" May 15 at the 100th anniversary celebration of the Los Angeles chapter. The decision was questioned by some civil rights activists, who cited allegations of discrimination in Sterling's past.
via AP News : LA NAACP head resigns over move to honor Sterling.
It's a shame that Sterling continues to do damage to people's lives, and it's hard to see how Jenkins losing his position really helps anything, but PR matters. And more importantly, there's a pretty well established history of behavior with Sterling that, even if never having been criminally liable, does indicate a pattern not befitting of such an award.
A group of owners unanimously voted Thursday to pursue Adam Silver's suggested course of terminating ownership of the Clippers by Sterling.
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Owners’ NBA advisory/finance committee takes first step to oust Donald Sterling
At some point pretty much everyone around the league expects Donald Sterling to start fighting back — likely in the courts, likely with a mountain of paperwork. Because that’s who he is.
But for now the owners are moving forward on Adam Silver’s edict to oust Donald Sterling as owner of the Clippers. Thursday evening the NBA released this statement:
“This afternoon the Advisory/Finance Committee met via conference call to discuss the process for termination of Donald T. Sterling’s ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers. The Committee unanimously agreed to move forward as expeditiously as possible and will reconvene next week.”
That committee is chaired by Minnesota owner Glen Taylor and it’s other members are Miami’s Micky Arison, the Lakers’ Jeanie Buss, Oklahoma City’s Clay Bennett, New York’s James Dolan, Boston’s Wyc Grousbeck, San Antonio’s Peter Holt, Phoenix’s Robert Sarver, Indiana’s Herb Simon, and Toronto’s Larry Tanenbaum.
As part of the process the NBA would have to present Sterling with charges, he would have several days to respond, then there would be a vote within 10 days of that time. It is outlined in Chapter 13 of the NBA’s constitution, although most of what is in there outlines specific offenses (gambling on the team, not meeting financial obligations). There is an area that covers “ethical conduct” in business transactions and dealing with sponsors — the NBA can point to the sponsors leaving and the impact of Sterling’s words and actions on business and use that to oust him.
It would take a three-quarter’s vote of the owners, or 23 of the other 29. All 29 other owners have already come out in support of Silver’s actions (which included a lifetime ban for Sterling and a $2.5 million fine) and with the public watching this none would dare vote against it for fear of backlash.
Sterling, however, is expected to put up one heck of a fight. That day is still coming.
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