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Sterling's Last Gasp to Save the Clippers
by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700
Copyright
May 9, 2014
All Rights Reserved.
Appointing 66-year-old former Citibank and Time
Warner Chairman Jack Parsons as interim CEO of the Los Angeles Clippers,
52-year-old NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made good on his promise to force
Clippers owner Donald Sterling to sell. After a secretly recorded tape surfaced
with Sterling telling his girl-Friday V. Stiviano to not associate or bring
black people to Clippers games, Silver put down the hammer April 29. “Effective
immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the
Clippers organization or the NBA,” Silver told a national press conference in
New York City. With NBA players
threatening a boycott of the NBA playoffs, Silver had no choice but to ban
Sterling, whether or not it violates his due process. Seeking approval from 29 NBA owners
to force a sale of the Clippers franchise, Silver showed he’s not listening to
legal arguments.
Since the scandal broke on TMZ Sports April 25, Sterling’s offensive
words reverberated through the NBA and indeed all professional sports, sparking
nationwide public debate about race.
Clippers management was so blindsided by Silver’s actions, Sterling’s
family hasn’t yet accepted reality.
Sterling’s 79-year-old wife Rochelle [Shelly], claiming 50% ownership under
California’s community property laws, asked through her attorney Pierce
O’Donnell to retain 50% ownership.
Shelly has had nothing to do with the Clippers other than attending games
watching Donald cozy-and-yuk-it-up with “V” and other cronies. Whatever Sterling’s legal ownership
rights, the NBA—and other professional sports franchises—have the right to
terminate owners and force sales of “franchises” with cause. Whether the Clippers are in a family
trust or not, the NBA reserves the right to terminate franchises.
Putting NBA-approved Parsons in charge is comparable to when Major League
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig April 25, 2011 to put J. Thomas Schieffer in
charge of the Los Angeles Dodgers before forcing owner Frank McCourt to sell. McCourt wasn’t tarred-and-feathered
for racial slurs, though his private feelings toward his wife Jamie far exceed
anything Sterling said to “V.”
Putting Parsons in charge of the Clippers helps fill the management void with
long-time team president Andy Roeser taking an indefinite leave. “Dick’s credentials as a proven
chief executive speak for themselves and I am extremely grateful he accepted
this responsibility,” said Silver, announcing Parsons’ appointment as Clippers
CEO. Parsons presided over America
Online’s [AOL] merger to Time Warner, costing TWC millions. He took the reins of Citigroup while
the company nearly went broke.
O’Donnell has tenuous grounds insisting that Shelly be allowed to
maintain 50% ownership in the Clippers, insisting at least half the Clippers’
ownership isn’t “racist.” Sterling
rejects the “racist” label or grounds to terminate his NBA franchise, though not
speaking to the media about “V’s” secret tape that caused the media hubbub. Sterling’s lack of a response speaks
volumes about his capacity as an octogenarian to speak to the media. While some suggest the wily attorney
simply doesn’t want to incriminate himself, it’s far more likely that Sterling
suffers from some cognitive impairment.
When you examine the content of Sterling’s words to “V” it’s nearly
incoherent, talking about giving food, clothes and shelter to his black
employees. Putting Parsons in
charge of the Clippers signals Silver’s first step—like MLB did with Frank
McCourt—to rid the franchise of his name.
Sterling’s ugly words so debased the Clippers and NBA brand that it
prompted Silver at his April 29 press conference to lecture on “diversity.” “We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling’s views.
They simply have no place in the NBA,” touting the league as multiracial,
multiethnic enterprise. Silver’s
gone ahead asking NBA’s Board of Governors to for Sterling to sell his
franchise, including any interest Shelly might claim. “Like most Americans, I have been
deeply troubled by the pain the Clippers’ team, fans and partners have endured,”
said Parson, alluding to Sterling’s racially inexcusable remarks. Whether legally justified or not,
Sterling’s words were so offensive, so classless, so disgraceful that he lost
the privilege of owning an NBA franchise.
Judging by the fine print in Sterling’s franchise agreement, the NBA can
terminate and force a sale with cause.
Putting Parson’s at the Clippers’ helm gives the necessary leadership
with Coach Doc Rivers to get through the playoffs without the kinds of
distractions that sank their recent chances in Game 4 of the first round series
with Golden State. Parson’s
presence should steady the franchise as they try to climb a big mountain
battling the Oklahoma City Thunder for a spot in the Western Conference Finals. Bringing Parsons onboard also signals to Clippers ownership that the NBA intends to move
swiftly ahead to sell the franchise.
Recent grumbling about Shelly seeking to retain 50% ownership doesn’t fit
with Silver’s intent to sell the team.
“I am honored to be asked to work with them, build on their values and
accomplishments, and help them open a new inspiring era for their team,” said
Parsons, showing no indication that the NBA would consider handing the keys to
Sterling’s wife.
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