NBA OWNERS MEETING TODAY TO DISCUSS DONALD STERLING

OAKLAND – NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acted decisively by punishing Clippers owner Donald Sterling Tuesday with a lifetime ban and a $2.5 million fine for making racist comments.

Today, the 29 other owners begin the process of carrying out Silvers end-game objective of forcing Sterling to sell the Clippers.

The owners advisory committee/finance committee, made up of 10 owners, will convene today on a conference call to discuss the next steps in dealing with Sterling, who was caught on tape making offensive remarks toward minorities

Silver immediately pounced on Sterling with the unprecedented punishment, then urged owners to use their power to force Sterling to sell the team – which would require the support of three-fourths of the league’s owners in a vote.

Silver indicated Tuesday he is confident there are enough votes to carry out his hopes, and considering the vast amounts of supportive feedback owners have expressed it seems likely Silver will get his wish

The 10-owner committee consists of: Minnesota’s 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.