Rev. Al Sharpton, Other Civil Rights Leaders Meet With NBA Commissioner
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Rev. Al Sharpton and other civil rights leaders say they've had a "constructive'' meeting about racial issues in the NBA with Commissioner Adam Silver.
The civil rights leaders met with Silver for more than an hour Wednesday in the league's Manhattan offices to discuss the scandal involving disgraced Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling.
Sterling was banned for life and fined $2.5 million for racist remarks recorded by his girlfriend.
"We wanted to discuss how this moment need to not pass without changing things in the NBA," Sharpton told 1010 WINS.
Sharpton said they stressed that Sterling and his estranged wife must never be allowed to have a role in the league. They also want to make sure the NBA makes moves to ensure a man like Sterling will not be owning an NBA team again.
"How do we deal with vetting and setting up a process to make sure a Sterling is never cleared again? Anyone that has a history of discrimination by race or gender or sexual preference ought to be eliminated from ownership," Sharpton said.
Silver worked to oust Sterling as owner of the team until his wife, Shelly Sterling, concluded a deal to sell it to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. The $2 billion deal still needs to be approved by NBA owners.
Sharpton said new policies need to be put in place to keep bias and discrimination out of the NBA.
"The Sterlings should not be allowed to offend and insult the black community then make billions and walk away and the black community just be collateral damage to a business transaction," Sharpton said.
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