Kudo's Commissioner Silver

Kudos to new NBA Commish, Adam Silver for handing Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling  a lifetime ban from the league and the maximum $2.5 million fine for the long-time owner's racist remarks.  Silver did what his predecessor and former commissioner, David Stern would not do despite Sterling's long history of racial prejudice which is now coming to public light.  As Silver said Sterling's comments on the recording were "hateful and harmful."

The ruling came just three days after the release of a recording of the 80-year old and married Sterling making racist comments to his girlfriend.  As far as the Clippers are concerned Mr. Sterling is going to become familiar with the word, "no".  No games, no practices, and no player personnel, or business decisions and no meetings.  

It was the right call and it was big in that most professional sports commissioners serve at the mercy of team owners and often turn a deaf hear, or blind eye toward questionable behavior, conduct, or comments that often result in immediate termination and fines for players and coaches.  Silver's ruling shows there is no distinction between owners, players, coaches and other league officials when it comes to league discipline.  

Understand that Sterling is the rightful owner of the NBA club and will continue to receive proceeds from the club's ticket, souvenir and television sales/rights.  This is a ruling in the right the direction.  Let's be honest: at this moment racists own various businesses all across the U.S., and they do not lose ownership of their company for holding racist views.  But when such behavior comes to public light history proves that they will be punished whether through public humiliation, loss of sales/revenue, a mass exodus by employees, or a loss of public popularity upon the realization of the owners views.  Too many sponsors have already pulled out and the collective public response of the fans, media, NBA players and management toward Sterling's long held views that have become public will be enough to force him to sell the franchise.  And by the way, don't feel sorry for Sterling who is going to profit mightily from the sale of the Clippers.  

Racism will never be fully extinguished this side of eternity, but we must try.  President Lincoln once said, "To sin by silence makes cowards of men."  Those of us in the culture that have never experienced real and ongoing racial prejudice must stand up.  When we do not speak up, or attempt to right the wrongs of known racism and conveniently turn a blind eye on it we are embracing it through silence.  If we do, we become cowards.