The NBA's lifelong ban and $2.5-million fine on Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for racist remarks has elicited strong reactions and soul-searching in U.S. mainstream media.
The NBA will try to force Sterling to sell his team after a recording showed him criticizing his mistress, V. Stiviano, for posting pictures of herself on social media with black people.
Here's how some U.S. news organizations reacted to the decision.
SHORT BUT SWEET
Several U.S. papers went for punchy, single- or double-word headlines.
- Los Angeles Daily News: “Done”
- Los Angeles Times: “Banned for life”
- New York Post: “Clipped”
- New York Daily News: “Slam punk”
THE BIG GAME
Some reports tried to portray the Clippers’ 113-103 victory over the rival Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night as a happy ending to the Sterling saga. Others looked at the Warriors’ plan to boycott Game 5 if the NBA had not taken strong enough action against Sterling.
- Fox Sports: “Clippers ride energy to win over Warriors in wake of Sterling ruling”
- Sports Illustrated: “Warriors had dramatic boycott set for Game 5 against Clippers”
- Los Angeles Times: “Donald Sterling ban: Staples Center protest now ‘victory celebration’ ”
WHOSE BALL IS IN WHOSE COURT?
The phrase “the ball is in their court” came up more than once, with various explanations of whose court the figurative ball is now in.
- Los Angeles times: “The ball is now in Sterling’s court”
- New York Times: “Ball is in the NBA owners’ court”
THE ROOT PROBLEMS
The day came with several warnings that root causes of racism in sports haven’t been addressed.
- Roxane Gay, Salon.com: “Donald Sterling was more than just a ‘painful episode’ ”
WHAT NEXT?
Several observers zeroed in on how the Clippers could be sold, and who would profit from it. Some took issue with the NBA putting pressure on Sterling to sell the Clippers, arguing that his racist remarks weren’t actually illegal.
- NBC: “NBA unites behind ousting Donald Sterling, but removing him will not be that simple”
- CNN: “NBA vs. Clippers owner sterling: Who wants to buy out a billionaire?”
- Washington Post: “What Donald Sterling could make if he’s forced to sell the Clippers”
- Mike Pesca, Slate: Donald Sterling is a vile racist (but even a horrible human being doesn’t deserve to have his property stripped)