NBA rumors: Donald Sterling could face lifetime ban?

May 11, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling enters the court before the start of game 6 of the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

As the NBA world waits for commissioner Adam Silver to hand down some punishment to Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for his racist remarks that leaked over the weekend, it appears that the punishment is going to be as severe as we have ever seen from the league.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN, the expectation is that Sterling could face a seven-figure fine, indefinite suspension and a clear message that the league wants him to hope the team.

However, there is one team that believes Silver could go as far as handing down a lifetime ban to Sterling.

“It’s only one team, but expectation from that one is Silver will go as far as lifetime suspension for Sterling with fine well over $1 million AND a pledge from league to help Sterling sell the Clippers,” Stein wrote. “But also the vow to pursue voting him out if Sterling doesn’t co-operate.”

The lifetime ban would certainly send a big message, but it is unlikely that the league will be able to go that far.

The most reasonable punishment for fans to expect is the indefinite suspension and seven-figure fine, even if they may not feel that is enough for Sterling’s comments.

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