When it comes to the harsh penalties he sanctioned on Donald Sterling, Adam Silver has the unwavering support of Vivek Ranadivé and the Sacramento Kings.
During Sunday’s game 4 match-up between the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors, Ranadivé voiced shock and disbelief over racially insensitive comments made by Sterling. He also expressed his backing of the NBA commissioner in whatever course of action he decided to take.
Ranadivé reiterated that support today in interviews with the media, including TrueHoop, Cowbell Kingdom’s parent affiliate at ESPN.com. In a phone conversation, the Kings majority owner said that he would not only second a motion to force the disgraced Clippers owner to sell his team, but that he’s also willing to lead it.
Here is an excerpt of that conversation.
The NBA, and I call it NBA 2.0, is a global game, it’s a global brand. It has a universality to it. And so I will not just second the motion, but lead the motion for us to do as Adam recommends. I believe that the other owners will support it as well. (Note: 29 of 29 have already expressed support.)
The owners I know, they all are colorblind. That was the irony of this situation, that the NBA is one of the most colorblind institutions in the world. To have that be challenged or embarrassed in the way Mr. Sterling did with his comments is bad for the game of basketball, and it’s bad for the league.
It’s a global institution and it has values. With technology and social media now, if something happens, you have the evidence and it’s known to people. What the commissioner said was exactly right. It was brought to his attention. The evidence was there. The proof was there. He investigated it and he acted. I think it’s a combination of circumstances. One is the changing nature of the sport, the universality of it, the global nature, it being more than a game, it being a set of values, and also now through social media and technology there’s much more information available.
I expect it to happen quickly.
The commissioner has shown that he’s decisive and we will be guided by Commissioner Silver.
Ranadivé is the first majority owner of Indian descent in the NBA’s history. He is also one of two principle owners in the league that are of minority backgrounds, the other being Michael Jordan of the Charlotte Bobcats.
The rest of Ranadivé’s latest comments on the Sterling ruling can be read over at TrueHoop. Ranadivé will also appear on Good Morning America tomorrow a 7 am EST/4 am PST to discuss the controversy.
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