Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan spoke up Sunday on the racially insensitive comments reportedly made by Clippers owner Donald Sterling. The NBA is investigating the issue, and commissioner Adam Silver will not take immediate action against Sterling, but Jordan said the league “must not tolerate discrimination” in a statement.
“I look at this from two perspectives – as a current owner and a former player. As an owner, I’m obviously disgusted that a fellow team owner could hold such sickening and offensive views. I’m confident that Adam Silver will make a full investigation and take appropriate action quickly. As a former player, I’m completely outraged. There is no room in the NBA – or anywhere else – for the kind of racism and hatred that Mr. Sterling allegedly expressed…. In a league where the majority of players are African-American, we cannot and must not tolerate discrimination at any level.”
Jordan’s strong comments, along with those of President Barack Obama, Lakers legend Magic Johnson and Heat star LeBron James, put considerable pressure on NBA commissioner Adam Silver.