Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has been suspended from NBA activities for life and ordered to pay $2.5 million.

Donald Sterling Banned & Fined

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced his decision on Tuesday. In addition to the suspension, Sterling is likely going to be forced to sell the Clippers.

"I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA," Silver said in his press conference. “The owners have the authority to remove [Donald Sterling] as an owner.”

In order to officially remove Sterling from his lucrative position of ownership, Silver will need a three-quarter vote from other NBA owners to oust him. When asked what he’d do should he not receive the support, Silver maintained his confidence that the owners would align with his suggestion.

Sterling's Rant; Clippers' Reaction

In order to determine the legitimacy of the taped recording that featured Sterling ranting to his alleged former girlfriend V. Stiviano about African Americans, Silver had it examined by a forensic expert, reported TMZ. The expert reportedly found the recording, in which Sterling censured Stiviano for posting a picture of herself with NBA great Magic Johnson to her Instagram account, to be legitimate.

After the recordings went viral over the weekend, the Clippers organization committed to looking into the recordings to determine a course of action. On Sunday, Clippers players staged a protest against their owner, piling their shooting jerseys in the center of the court and warming up in t-shirts worn inside-out to hide their franchise name. It wasn’t long before sponsors for the NBA team started to suspend their partnerships pending Sterling’s punishment.

On Tuesday night, the Clippers will face off against the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of their seven-game playoff series. Currently, the series is tied, 2-2.

– Chelsea Regan

For More Donald Sterling News:

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_{> Who Is V. Stiviano, Donald Sterling's Girlfriend?}