NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced his ruling on the Donald Sterling scandal on Tuesday afternoon, banning the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers for life and imposing a $2.5 million fine upon Sterling.
On the heels of the announcement, the woman at the heart of the controversy – Sterling’s alleged mistress, V. Stiviano – who recorded her conversation with Sterling, in which the NBA owner is heard making several racist statements, spoke out in an exclusive statement to Access Hollywood.
“It’s not about Mr. Sterling. It’s about global issues that affects us as a nation as a whole,” Stiviano said in a statement to Access Hollywood shortly after Silver’s press conference. “My story is bigger than racism in sports.”
She certainly wasn’t the only one with strong words on the scandal.
“I’ve been following this story and it feels like a plantation mentality in the 21st century in 2014 — it just doesn’t fit,” Oprah Winfrey said on Tuesday morning on “CBS This Morning,” prior to Silver’s press conference.
Access spoke with “The Voice” coach Usher on Monday night, where he also weighed in.
“This is a very vivid reality of the world that we live in, that even though I guess racism and segregation in some way, I’d say racism in some way has been quiet, it still exists and that’s just the reality of where we are,” Usher said. “And that doesn’t just stop with race. It also is with gender, so on and so forth.
“I just really feel bad because that’s not the world that I want to my children to be raised in, you know?” the music superstar continued.
Stars also spoke out on Twitter following Tuesday’s press conference, where in addition to the punishments handed down upon Sterling, commissioner Silver also urged he would push for Sterling to sell his ownership of the NBA franchise, celebrities spoke out in support of the decision.
“Commissioner Silver showed great leadership in banning LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life,” Magic Johnson Tweeted.
Commissioner Silver showed great leadership in banning LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 29, 2014
Here is what some other celebrities and media personalities had to say on the ruling:
Now Donald Sterling can spend more time focusing on his wonderful marriage.
— B.J. Novak (@bjnovak) April 29, 2014
Commissioner of the @NBA just showed us how he drops the hammer on ignorance. #lifetimeban for Donald Sterling. The ultimate #gonefishing
— Jason Collins (@jasoncollins34) April 29, 2014
I agree 100% with Commissioner Silvers findings and the actions taken against Donald Sterling
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) April 29, 2014
Donald Sterling #BANNEDFORLIFE good move Adam Silver!!!
— Ja Rule (@Ruleyork) April 29, 2014
Im NOT ONE to judge but as an ATHLETE how can Sterling say he buys PLAYERS cars, houses, etc when they are BUSTING their asses for HIM…
— Juan Pablo Galavis™ (@JuanPaGalavis) April 29, 2014
Hell, why not ban Donald Sterling for several consecutive lifetimes?
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) April 29, 2014
I’d like to now host a live TV debate between Donald Sterling & @SHAQ . In a cage. No rules.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 29, 2014
The NBA & Society should force Sterling to build up the entire SkidRow area with massive affordable housing on his dime. #SmarterThanABan
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) April 29, 2014
Adam Silver to Donald #Sterling shorter version: Bye Felicia.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) April 29, 2014
Sterling unavailable for comment. Too busy watching “Django Unchained” in reverse, ending at the opening scene.
— Richard Roeper (@richardroeper) April 29, 2014
— Eric Anderson
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