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NBA Press Conference - Start

Aired April 29, 2014 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, Wolf, thank you so much. Great to be with all of you. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

As we begin here with this breaking news, let's show the live pictures, as you can see, I'm sure this is a packed room, NBA headquarters here in New York City. We are moments away from, as Thurl Bailey just put it, something incredibly historic here. This story really now is bigger than basketball.

We are waiting for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to step behind that podium and discuss the league's investigation into the racist comments allegedly made by the L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling. So any minute now, we will see him take to the mic and break some news here that so many people are waiting to see and hear.

And we have this whole thing covered for you right here at the top of the hour with CNN Sports anchor, "Unguarded" host, Rachel Nichols. She is inside that room. We will check in with her momentarily. Of course, once the news conference begins, I will stop talking, we will take that live in full.

A little bit of back story. Donald Sterling has kept a fairly low profile since this audiotape emerged. But you see this video? He, along with his wife - I should say estranged wife -- were caught leaving a Los Angeles area restaurant just this past Sunday night. Some of the paparazzi shouting questions at them. He himself didn't answer any questions about the audiotape in which he allegedly made these racist remarks about African-Americans. But the comments attributed to him have ignited a firestorm in the professional sports community. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD STERLING (voice-over): If you don't feel -- don't come to my games. Don't bring black people, and don't come.

V. STIVIANO (voice-over): Do you know that you have a whole team that's black that plays for you?

STERLING: You just, do I know? I support them and give them food, and clothes, and cars, and houses. Who gives it to them? Does someone else give it to them?

(END VIDEO CLIP) BALDWIN: That was a piece of this audio. And you're seeing here, this is the Clippers team, this is what they did, this silent protest at the play-off game this past weekend, game four in Oakland. You know, warming up without any visible Clippers logo here. Tonight will be the first game -- we're hours away from that first game at the Staples Center in L.A. since this whole story broke. And everyone is waiting to see how the players, how Coach Doc Rivers, how the fans in L.A. will be reacting.

So we have live coverage for you here on this from every single angle. CNN correspondent Stephanie Elam is live at the Staples Center for us in Los Angeles. Thurl Bailey is vice chairman of the NBA Retired Players Association and a former NBA player. Jerry Stackhouse is a former NBA star, just retired this past season after 18 years in the league. David Cornwell is a sports attorney. And CNN's Wolf Blitzer is staying on with me here as we continue to wait for this news conference to begin at NBA headquarters. You see the bottom right of your screen.

But, Jerry Stackhouse, since you're sitting here with me in studio, let me just begin with you because really at this moment it really is a guessing game. We don't know what the commissioner will rule, will decide, short of forcing Sterling to sell. But ahead of this, what are you thinking?

JERRY STACKHOUSE, FORMER NBA PLAYER: Well, I don't think that he has the power to force him to sell.

BALDWIN: He doesn't?

STACKHOUSE: And I think it's just going to be - it's going to be some extreme as far as a suspension, and maybe not attending any more games. And -- but I cannot see that the owners, would put themselves in the position to allow the commissioner to take the team away from him.

BALDWIN: You are fresh out of the league. I mean, help us understand the mind-set. Finally, I think this is the winningest season for the Clippers, right, in their franchise history. And here they are, ahead of game five, a couple hours away. How would you be feeling?

STACKHOUSE: Well, I mean, I'd like to put it in perspective. I mean there's probably a ton of -- a number of players that have played for the Los Angeles Clippers that have never even spoken to Donald Sterling. So, I mean, I think it's getting a little bit blown out of proportion. Now, no one wants to play for an owner who has his views and who has that type of vialed opinion about African-Americans. But I think we -- you know, it's not the first. And I'm pretty sure he's not the only owner. I mean in some certain collective bargaining sentence, you know, it's been put out there that we're the ones that pay you. That you should want to play. And these are the type of banter that goes on during these collective bargaining and no one says anything about it. But now that, you know, this, you know, this tape that's been obtained illegally, in my opinion, now all of a sudden is raising this big stir (ph), I think is - you know, he shouldn't be the only one that has -- wear the hat for this, in my opinion. BALDWIN: I'm coming back to you, Jerry Stackhouse.

STACKHOUSE: All right.

BALDWIN: Stay right here with me in studio.

But let's just broaden the conversation. Thurl Bailey, I mean you've been listening, you've been watching, and as we could be getting a possible bombshell, as big as a bombshell as we could see within his own legal capacity as far as the commissioner, Adam Silver, goes. What are you thinking might happen here as we watch and wait?

THURL BAILEY, VICE CHAIRMAN, NBA RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION: Well, I know what I hope happens. And I think, you know, each one of us may be different in our opinion, but I think ultimately we all like to see some justice done and a stern reprimand. But I have to agree with Jerry in some ways, but in other ways I think regardless of how the tape was recorded, or whether it was a private conversation or not, I think it shows the true light of who Donald Sterling is. And regardless of what he's done in the past, regardless of good deeds or bad deeds, now it's public. It's public for the world to see. And it's just a mark. It's a black mark, so to speak, on the NBA. And this is historic. I'm anticipating what Adam Silver will do. And I hope that it has something to do with banishment. And so we'll see in just a few minutes.

BALDWIN: We will see. I'm keeping my eyes very clearly trained on this live picture, NBA headquarters, as we are awaiting Adam Silver. Just had the top job for a couple of months and could, as Thurl pointed out, could really make history here as far as the league goes.

But let's be clear, and, Wolf Blitzer, let me bring you into this, because this is a story that has reverberated. This is bigger than basketball. This has reverberated beyond, you know, the league, beyond professional sports. I mean it's what anyone's really talking about right now. Even the president of the United States, Wolf, commented on it. We know he's a big basketball fan. He commented on this over the weekend.

BLITZER: Yes, while he was on a week-long visit to Asia he was asked about it, made a very, very strong statement. He's a huge basketball fan, as you know. And all of our viewers know as well, loves the NBA, like so many of us. And you're right, this is a lot bigger than just a local story. This is a huge story not only in terms of the Los Angeles Clippers and the NBA, but sports in general and what's going on in the country right now. People all over the world will be watching.

You know, I want to quickly go - I want to quickly go to -- Brooke, to Stephanie Elam. She's outside the Staples Center. That's where the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers, they play. I know there are some folks wanting to get permits. They want to protest. What's going on over there, Stephanie?

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, as you know, it's early here and already you can feel the energy is starting to ramp up to what is about to happen, what we're going to hear from the NBA, and also as far as what's going to happen during this game tonight. The barricades are up. I've seen billboards being changed. I can only assume that's because some of these sponsorships have fallen out. They're being very, very tight about security because they're afraid about these protests, depending on the outcome of this press conference that we're about to listen to. They want to know that something is really going to happen, that is a severe punishment.

Which, obviously, a lot of people have concerns about. I've been looking at social media, I've been talking to people out here. I know people who are saying, hey, I want to go to the game to support the players. These young men deserve our support. I've been seeing that. And I've seen other people saying that all of the players need to boycott from across the NBA, not just the Clippers.

Still, I think some people are going to come out and support the young men, but show their disdain for these comments by either wearing black, doing something else. What that concerted effort's going to be, we don't know, but we can definitely see the energy starting to ramp up this early in the day, Wolf.

BLITZER: I assume it's going to be a sellout crowd there at the Staples Center, Stephanie. You know, my heart goes out to the players, not only the players for the Clippers, but for the Warriors. My heart goes out to all of them because this seems to be overshadowing what should be such a fun, exciting moment, the play-offs, the NBA play- offs. What a great time. I'm sure you've been speaking to people about that.

ELAM: Exactly. And a lot of people are saying, think about it from the perspective of these men on this team. This is something that they've wanted all their life, you're going to assume. They're basketball players. They've been playing a long time. This is something that they've dreamed about. And here, the Clippers, a team that wasn't known for making it this far, is in this position, and to have this massive distraction. For the president of the Players Association to also be on the Clippers, Chris Paul, to have to deal with this distraction, when other teams can just focus on their game.

Now, of course, the Golden State Warriors are going to be aware of all this going on. Maybe they're hoping it will break in their favor, but they're not untouched by this scandal. No one in the NBA is. And that's the difference with this.

BLITZER: Stephanie Elam, thanks very much.

And, Brooke, that's why the new commissioner of the NBA, Adam Silver, he's got to move, he is moving quickly. He's got to move decisively right now. Because this comes at -- it would be awful at any time, but right in the middle of the play-offs, it's extremely awkward for those players and certainly all of our hearts go out to those players right now.

BALDWIN: That's right, hours away from game five right now, the series 2-2, best out of seven. And definitely on the minds, I imagine, not just, though, of the L.A. Clippers, but this is something that is pervasive among, you know, all teams. We saw the Miami Heat, a number of other teams sort of marking this in solidarity.

But, you know, the game is going on. The coach, Doc Rivers, saying basically, guys, play through. You know, one of the questions a lot of people are wondering is, what does Doc Rivers do, depending upon what the commissioner decides, and will even Doc - will Coach Rivers say anything ahead of tonight's game to address the fans, the fans many of whom are furious as is much of the basketball community over what this owner, since 1981, the longest franchise owner in NBA history, allegedly said in these audio tapes.

As we are watching and waiting, let me just be clear, this is actually technically not NBA headquarters. This is the Hilton Hotel in New York. Maybe they needed a bigger room because I can imagine just the media presence, the tremendous media presence awaiting this big announcement. What that announcement is, we still are watching and waiting to hear from this newly minted commissioner for NBA, Adam Silver.

David Cornwell, let me bring you into this conversation. You are a sports attorney. And you have thought through, I'm sure, all the different possible scenarios, given the power that this commissioner has, as far as decisions go and Donald Sterling's future. What could we hear in a matter of minutes?

DAVID CORNWELL, SPORTS ATTORNEY: Well, I actually don't want to steal Adam's thunder, but I just received a text indicating that he was going to suspend Donald Sterling indefinitely and fine him $5 million, but would not attempt to take the team from him. I think that's a swing and a miss. I don't think it's enough. But if that's in fact the discipline that he imposes, it's because the commissioner has determined that the road from here to taking the team from Donald Sterling is likely to be too bumpy and too tough, that the owners don't want to endure it.

But my view is that this is an unprecedented act that calls for an unprecedented response. There have been, up to this point, two kryptonite issues in sports. Gambling, because it goes to the integrity of the game, steroids over the last two decades, because it goes to the integrity of the game, and now I think racism should be added to that list because an owner simply should not be able to profit on the commitment and excellence of black men, and then hold these views about black men. There's just no place for this kind of person in professional sports, and particularly in the NBA.

BALDWIN: David, let me just step back a beat because we at CNN do not have that reporting ahead of Adam Silver's decision. Can I just ask you, is your source from whom you received this text familiar with the situation currently? This is a viable source of yours?

CORNWELL: I'm willing to rely on them, but I can't make that decision for CNN, yes.

BALDWIN: OK. OK. And so given that possible news that, again, we're waiting and watching for this news to break here from the NBA commissioner, just so we're all crystal clear and understand, in the position of commissioner, he cannot say, hey, you're fired, Mr. Sterling, because ultimately it's up to, if it were to go this route, there are 30 owners and it would take a three-fourths majority of those owners to say, yes, you need to yank the franchise, correct?

CORNWELL: Yes. That -- what they would do is essentially it's called terminating the franchise. They would say that the Clippers are no longer part of the NBA. Now, that would be essentially the nuclear option, and a practical solution to that would be in order for Mr. Sterling, or Donald Sterling, to - I don't think he deserves to be called Mr. -- to preserve the value of the franchise, he would sell. And for the NBA to preserve the franchise, they would allow him to sell. So you would impose this termination of the franchise with the expectation you would have a practical solution in the actual sale of the team.

BALDWIN: OK. Mr. Cornwell, I'm going to come back to you.

But again, just watching and reminding all of our viewers here, this is running about 15 minutes or so late, as we are waiting for a potential bombshell from -- he's just been in the job just a couple of months, Adam Silver, the new NBA commissioner, to really decide publicly the fate of the L.A. Clippers owner, Donald Sterling. Here he is. Let's take a listen.

ADAM SILVER, NBA COMMISSIONER: Thank you all for being here. I apologize for starting a little bit late.

Shortly after the release of an audio recording this past Saturday morning of a conversation that allegedly included Clippers owner Donald Sterling, the NBA commenced an investigation which among other things included an interview of Mr. Sterling. That investigation is now complete. The central findings of the investigation are that the man whose voice is heard on the recording, and on a second recording from the same conversation that was released on Sunday, is Mr. Sterling, and that the hateful opinions voiced by that man are those of Mr. Sterling.

The views expressed by Mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. That they came from an NBA owner only heightens the damage and my personal outrage. Sentiments of this kind are contrary to the principles of inclusion and respect that form the foundation of our diverse, multi-cultural, and multi-ethnic league. I am personally distraught that the views expressed by Mr. Sterling came from within an institution that has historically taken such a leadership role in matters of race relations and caused current and former players, coaches, fans, and partners of the NBA to question their very association with the league. To them, and pioneers of the game, like Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper, Sweetwater Clifton, the great Bill Russell, and particularly Magic Johnson, I apologize.

Accordingly, effective immediately, I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization, or the NBA. Mr. Sterling may not attend any NBA games or practices. He may not be present at any Clippers facility, and he may not participate in any business where player personnel decisions involving the team. He will also be barred from attending NBA board of governors meetings, or participating in any other league activity. I am also fining Mr. Sterling $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the NBA constitution. These funds will be donated to organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts that will be jointly selected by the NBA and its Players Association.

As for Mr. Sterling's ownership interest in the Clippers, I will urge the board of governors to exercise its authority to force a sale of the team, and will do everything in my power to ensure that that happens.

This has been a painful moment for all members of the NBA family. I appreciate the support and understanding of our players during this process. And I am particularly grateful for the leadership shown by Coach Doc Rivers, Union President Chris Paul, and Mayor Kevin Johnson of Sacramento, who has been acting as the players' representative in this matter. We stand together in condemning Mr. Sterling's views. They simply have no place in the NBA.

Thank you, and I'll take any questions.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll take questions now. We'll start with Scott in the back right.

SCOTT SOSHNICK, BLOOMBERG SPORTS REPORTER: Adam, Scott Soshnick, Bloomberg.

Do you or any of your emissaries (ph) have any clue as to whether MR. Sterling will acquiesce to your wishes to sell the team or do you expect a fight?

SILVER: I have no idea.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We'll take the next question right here, Rachel.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: From polling the owners that you've spoken to, what support do you think you have to force Mr. Sterling to sell the team?

SILVER: I didn't poll the owners. I spoke to several owners. And I have their full support.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On the right, Brian.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Adam, Brian Hoke (ph) from the Associated Press. What kind of authority do they have to force a sale?

SILVER: The owners have the authority, subject to three-quarters vote, of the ownership groups of the partners to remove him as an owner.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fifth row in the middle.

LISA GUERRERO, INSIDE EDITION: Hi, I'm Lisa Guerrero with Inside Edition. The word you used specifically was "outrage." You said that you were personally outraged, yet many people believe that they are outraged that for years people have known that this man is a racist, slum lord, and the NBA hasn't done anything until today. Can you please answer why?

SILVER: I can't speak to past actions other than to say that when specific evidence was brought to the NBA, we acted.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. Over here, second row on the left.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE) with Fox News, "The Kelly File." Should someone lose their team for remarks shared in private? Is this a slippery slope?

SILVER: Whether or not these remarks were initially shared in private, they are now public and they represent his views.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fifth row in the middle, Tim. Get a microphone there, please.

TIM BONTEMPS, "THE NEW YORK POST": Tim Bontemps (ph) from "The New York Post." Adam, what was the process to come into this decision over the last couple days, and when did you decide that, you know, this was the appropriate action to take?

SILVER: I ultimately decided this morning that this was the appropriate action, and the process beginning Saturday morning when this first -- when this tape was first released was to appoint an investigator. It was David Anders (ph) from the Wachtell Lipton (ph) firm. He conducted a series of interviews, some by phone, some in person. He concluded his investigation late last night.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Seventh row on the left, Jeff. Let's give the microphone to Jeff, please. No, Jeff, right there. Seventh row on the left.

JEFF ZILLGITT (ph), "USA TODAY": Jeff Zillgitt, "USA Today." Adam, you said you would encourage owners to force the sale of the Clippers. When will that action take place?

SILVER: The process will begin immediately. We will most likely use a standing committee of the NBA. Are -- the equivalent of our executive committee is our advisory finance committee. I've had several discussions with Glen Taylor, who is our chairman of the board, and also the leader of the advisory finance committee. And we will begin that process immediately.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Third row on the end, Howard.

HOWARD BECK, BLEACHER REPORT: Howard Beck of Bleacher Report. Adam, did -- in your conversations with Sterling, did he own up to this immediately? Was it only after you guys had come up with some sort of proof? And then what, if anything, has he expressed approaching remorse, regret, anything? What's his sentiment at this point?

SILVER: Mr. Sterling acknowledged it was his voice on the tape. And he has not expressed to me directly any other views.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. We'll go right here, please. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Andrew Rosario (ph) of (INAUDIBLE) right here. What message do you have for the Clippers and their fans and their fan base in terms of moving forward from this point on?

SILVER: My message to the Clippers fans is this league is far bigger than any one owner, any one coach, any one player. This institution has been around for a long time, and it will stand for a long time. And I have complete confidence in Doc Rivers, in the basketball management of that club, and the players deserve their support. They've just been through an incredibly difficult incident in their lives.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On your left, Harvey. Over against the wall, Adam.

HARVEY ARATON, "THE NEW YORK TIMES": Adam, Harvey Araton, "The New York Times." Was the punishment designed in effect to get the message across to Mr. Sterling that there's no point in him (ph), there's no advantage, there's no -- nothing to be gained from him continuing his ownership? And also, in determining what the punishment would be, including the suggestion to the board of governors, did you take into account Mr. Sterling's past behavior, or was it just based on this one particular incident?

SILVER: In meting out this punishment, we did not take into account his past behavior. When the board ultimately considers his overall fitness to be an owner in the NBA, they will take into account a lifetime of behavior.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fifth row in the middle, Ken.

KEN BERGER, CBSSPORTS.COM: Ken Burger from cbssports.com. Adam, could you just explain, or lay out for us what specific power in the constitution and bylaws you exercise with your ban, and what specific -- was it a broad violation or a specific violation? And with respect to the forced sale, what specific section of the constitution covers that, and is that a broad violation or a specific one?

SILVER: Ken, I'll let the lawyers lay out for you the specific provisions of our constitution. Let's just leave it we have the authority to act as I've recommended.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Eighth row in the back, please.

STEPHANIE STEPP, HARLEM COMMUNITY RADIO: Commissioner, Stephanie Stepp from Harlem Community Radio. Is the NBA considering more African- American ownership at this point?

SILVER: Sorry, where am I looking?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Eighth row in the back in the middle.

SILVER: I'm sorry. Sorry, could you repeat the question?

STEPP: Sure. Stephanie Stepp from Harlem Community Radio. Is the NBA considering more African-American ownership at this point? SILVER: We're always open to ownership from people of all races, nationalities, ethnicities. As you know, we have an African-American primary owner in the league right now. Shaquille O'Neal just became a small owner of the Sacramento Kings. David Robinson is an owner of the San Antonio Spurs. Vivek Ranadive, a person of color, born in Mumbai, India, just became the primary owner of the Sacramento Kings. So, I believe we have a very diverse league, but I'd always like to see it become even more diverse.

STEPP: What about Magic Johnson? Is that an option at this point?

SILVER: Magic Johnson knows he's always welcome as an owner in this league. He's been a part owner in the past of the Los Angeles Lakers and he's always welcome, and a close friend of the NBA family.

STEPP: Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On your left, Adam, over -

MAGGIE GRAY, SI.COM: Maggie Gray from SI.com. Did you talk to any of the players before you came to this decision? And what about the Clippers players, if they do not want to play for a team owned by Donald Sterling anymore, do they have any recourse?

SILVER: I talked to several players before rendering my decision. Coincidentally, I had had a trip planned for this weekend. I was in Memphis for a game. I was in Oakland. And then I was in Portland Sunday night for games. I had a chance to talk directly to Chris Paul. I spoke to other members of the team. I spoke extensively to Doc Rivers. And as I said, Kevin Johnson has been representing the players' interests. And he and I have been talking multiple times a day. So I believe the players will be satisfied with the decision, and the renderings that we've made today. If a player in the future doesn't want to play for the Los Angeles Clippers and he's under contract, we'll deal with that when it happens. But that's not my sense of where we are right now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Back on the left, by the cameras.

KELSEY KNIGHT (ph), THE INSIDER: Hi. Kelsey Knight from The Insider. Will this situation cause you moving forward to put new rules in place for owners from the NBA?

SILVER: I'm not sure. I mean we're always willing to take a fresh look at our rules, our constitution and bylaws. But I believe we have appropriate rules in place right now to cover a situation like this.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Second row on the left, Ian.

IAN O'CONNOR, ESPN NEW YORK: Adam, Ian O'Connor, ESPN New York. Just to be clear, you said when specific evidence was brought to the league, you did act. So in past cases, has Donald Sterling ever been fined or suspended for racial or offensive remarks? And if not, why not?

SILVER: He's never been suspended or fined by the league because, while there have been well documented rumors and cases filed, he was sued, and the plaintiff lost the lawsuit. That was Elgin Baylor. There was a case brought by the Department of Justice in which ultimately Donald Sterling settled and there was no finding of guilt. And those are the only cases that have been brought to our attention. And when those -- when that -- those two litigations were brought, they were followed closely by the league office.

O'CONNOR: Just to follow up to that. One of the greatest players of all-time, Elgin Baylor, accused Donald Sterling of running a plantation style franchise. Did that not concern you? And why was that not investigated? Despite the fact that he lost the case, he has a prominent standing in the league and he said some very serious things.

SILVER: It concerned us greatly. We followed the litigation closely. And ultimately, Elgin Baylor did not prevail in that litigation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Second row right on the right side here, Adam.

BRANDON ROBINSON, THE SOURCE MAGAZINE: Commissioner Silver, Brandon Robinson, The Source Magazine. Obviously CarMax and State Farm withdrew their sponsorship with the L.A. Clippers. As you as the commissioner of the NBA, what would you tell other people who are maybe on the fence or people who have withdrawn to want to in the future invest in one of your franchise of the L.A. Clippers?

SILVER: I would say that those marketing partners of the Clippers and partners of the entire NBA should judge us by our response to this incident. And I think we've responded appropriately. And I would be hopeful that they would return into their business relationships with the Clippers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On the left, on the front against the wall over there, left.

JASON CARROLL, CNN: Great. Jason - yes, thank you. Jason Carroll with CNN. I'm wondering if you've spoken to Mr. Sterling about this ban or any of his representatives. And if so, what has Mr. Sterling's reaction been to the punishment?

SILVER: I did not speak directly to his representatives about this ban. They were informed shortly before this press conference. I did not hear precisely what their reaction was.