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NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced Tuesday that the league has banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life. According to an NBA release, the banishment means Sterling "may not attend any NBA games or practices, be present at any Clippers office or facility, or participate in any business or player personnel decisions involving the team." In addition, Silver urged the NBA's Board of Governors to exercise its authority to force Sterling to sell the team.
The Orlando Magic made their first--and, one presumes, what will be their only--statement on the Sterling subject shortly after Silver's announcement.
"The Orlando Magic feel the recent reprehensible comments by Donald Sterling were absolutely unacceptable and do not reflect the values and beliefs of our organization or our league," the team said in a written statement. "We applaud the leadership of NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as well as Head Coach Doc Rivers and his players, who are at the epicenter of the situation."
That Orlando made special acknowledgment of Rivers' role with the Clippers ought not come as a surprise: Rivers coached the Magic for four-plus seasons and is still beloved in the Central Florida community.