Adam Silver Weighs Heavy Hand in First Major Controversy as Commissioner

Adam Silver took over for former NBA Commissioner David Stern on
February 1 of this Year. Stern had served as commish for 30 years

Some detractors complained about Adam Silver's desire to investigate the controversy regarding racist comments made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling late last week. The issue was as close you could come to a one-sided one, yet Silver decided to wait before acting. Yet any fears that Silver's decision regarding Sterling wouldn't be harsh enough subsided after the commissioner's lifetime ban and $2.5 million fine came down yesterday. Silver was undoubtedly tossed a bowling-ball sized pitch for his first major controversy to deal with as commissioner. However, the uncompromising way in which Silver handled the controversy serves as a statement for the direction the NBA is headed, and a win for everyone involved. 

Silver used his power as commissioner as broadly as possible in dealing with Clipper's owner Donald Sterling. His lifetime ban and $2.5 million dollar fine importantly creates a no-tolerance attitude by the NBA in regards to bigoted remarks such as Sterlings. It reaffirms the idea that the NBA is a player driven league, as well as appeases the black community, for which, Mike Wilbon has claimed, the NBA is the second most important communal institution behind the Church. Yet Silver's no nonsense punishment provides a winning platform for players, fans, and the Clippers organization. 

Reports were made during the early stages of the controversy that several NBA owners would use their leverage to oust Sterling from their ranks. Silver has given them a carte-blanche to do so, if not encouraged it. Silver claims he fully expects "to get the support [needed] from the NBA owners to remove him." Sterling's removal will require a 3/4s vote from the remaining owners. Acting to remove Sterling from ownership is of paramount importance to league owners, who are slated to face an increasingly "owners vs players" bargaining process in 2017.

Oprah Winfrey reportedly
has interest in Clippers

Additionally, Silver's move has allowed sponsors the opportunity to jump an board with the Los Angeles Clippers organization. For companies who backed out of support for the Clippers the statement has been made. With Sterling effectively removed from any aspect of the Clippers organization, sponsors can realign themselves with the popular sports franchise. Early reports of the many celebrities (from Oprah Winfrey, Magic Johnson and Sean Combs to Matt Damon) interested in purchasing the franchise boast positive returns of the teams viability.

Clippers Protest before Game 4 in Oakland, CA

Yet, perhaps the most important impact of Silver's decision is the one it will have on the players. Several playoff teams had voiced their displeasure with Sterling's actions, most notably the Los Angeles Clippers themselves, who staged a silent protest before their Game 4 matchup with Golden State. Recent reports have claimed the Golden State Warriors were willing to walk-off before the tip of Game 5, and that there was support from several teams to boycott last nights games. Silver's decision regarding Sterling has taken an incredible amount of pressure off of these players, showing the league office is behind them. It is difficult to say whether these teams will be able to completely return to business as usual, particularly the Clippers. However, Adam Silver has given them a much better opportunity to do so. 

Adam Silver has dealt with the Donald Sterling controversy in a terrific fashion, helping build confidence in his early tenure as NBA commissioner. He has been hailed as now both a commissioner of both the players and the coaches. It will be interesting to see how this move will impact incidents in other sports, and across the nation.