OPINION:
Embattled Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been a gigantic source of embarrassment for the National Basketball Association. Yet if this man moves ahead with a proposed lawsuit, the league’s future could be in serious doubt.
Since April, Mr. Sterling has been a media sensation — for all the wrong reasons.
He’s long been a thorn in the NBA’s side owing to allegations of discrimination against black, Hispanic and Asian families who had rented his apartments. When TMZ leaked a private conversation he had had with ex-girlfriend V. Stiviano, the dark veil of his racist views was finally lifted for the entire world to see.
Mr. Sterling was furious that Miss Stiviano posted an online photo taken with retired NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson. He launched into a huge tirade, stating it “bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people … . Don’t put [Magic] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games.”
Those comments would have been bad enough. When he told Miss Stiviano she could “sleep with [black people] … bring them in, you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it … and not to bring them to my games,” that was the last straw.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acted quickly and decisively. He banned Mr. Sterling for life, fined him the league maximum of $2.5 million, and urged the NBA board of directors to force the sale of his team.
After the release of a horrible interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper that would put a public-relations specialist into intensive care, it appears Mr. Sterling won’t go away quietly. He has refused to pay his fine, and has threatened to sue the NBA.
This legal battle could take years to resolve. Mr. Sterling has a long history of being litigious, so it’s in his nature to fight back. There is even some dispute over the NBA’s right to force the sale of the L.A. Clippers (although it appears they could do it, based on the interpretation of certain provisions in the league’s constitution).
Regardless, his current position could potentially turn this terrible situation into an even bigger mess. If it were to drag on long enough, Mr. Sterling’s proposed lawsuit could ultimately engineer the NBA’s untimely demise.
For one thing, some NBA players have already suggested they won’t play next season unless Mr. Sterling is forced to sell his team. The league could, therefore, lose some of its top stars as a result of a walkout. This, in turn, could lead to a huge loss of revenue from ticket sales, memorabilia and radio and TV advertising.
If not, the Clippers could simply witness a mass player and staff revolt owing to Mr. Sterling’s actions. This could lead to the temporary suspension or permanent closing of the team, which has gradually evolved from a laughingstock to a basketball powerhouse in recent years.
The Clippers’ net value, along with those of other NBA teams, could also plummet because of this lawsuit. All the owners would personally lose huge amounts of money, new investors would be virtually impossible to attract, and one of the most economically viable sports leagues could become a financial wasteland.
There’s something even more dramatic that could happen. Many NBA owners could become sick and tired of this situation, and simply bolt and form their own basketball league (or leagues). While this would easily get rid of the Sterling problem and the disgusting scent of racism, it could also bring down the 68-year-old NBA — all because of the stubbornness and bigotry of one owner.
That’s why it doesn’t matter whether either Mr. Sterling or the NBA wins this case. If the proposed lawsuit heads to trial, and goes on for years, pro basketball as we know it would be forever changed. After this particular episode, how could it ever be the same?
There is a way to stop this madness, however. Mr. Sterling has to get it through his thick skull that he’s creating an unnecessary battle. The NBA owners clearly don’t want him, and neither do the NBA players. Instead of acting like a one-man legal wrecking crew, it would be best if he just sold the Clippers, took his money and moved on.
Alas, the chances of a peaceful resolution in Sterling v. NBA are less than a slam dunk.
Michael Taube is a contributor to The Washington Times.
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