America’s National Basketball Association (NBA) brought the hammer down on the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, in response to leaked audio of Donald Sterling’s bizarre, racist rant during an argument with his girlfriend.  Sterling is banned for life and fined US$2.5 Million.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he will use his authority and influence to push the other NBA team owners to force Sterling to sell the Clippers, the team he’s owned for 33-years.  The NBA’s constitution states that three-quarters of the owners voted in favor of such a move, it would commence the process of expulsion.  The NBA’s Player Association is demanding an immediate vote by league owners.

“The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful,” Silver said.  “That they came from an NBA owner only heightens the damage and my personal outrage.”

Major corporate sponsors abandoned the Clippers after the gossip website reported the audio of Sterling chastising his girlfriend over her public association with black people.  The stampede out the door included Corona Beer, Virgin Airways, Mercedes-Benz, and Samsung.

It’s not clear what Sterling will do, but he is not necessarily going to be hurt by selling the team.  Forbes magazine recently valued the team at US $575 million, though some in the sports world think the franchise could sell for as much as $700 million.