By Jacob Verket
Sports Editor
The celebrity gossip sites TMZ and Deadspin were completely justified in releasing audio tapes of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s racist comments because it effectively advocated against racism in athletics and led NBA commissioner Adam Silver to ban Sterling from any contact with his team or the league.
The recording consisted of Sterling asking V. Stiviano not to bring African Americans to his games after she posted a photo with former NBA player Magic Johnson. According to TMZ, Stiviano was the one who recorded the conversation; however, Stiviano’s attorney, Mac Nehoray, claims she did not leak the recording.
TMZ, a media organization notorious for exploiting the private lives of those in the public spotlight, obtained the audio recording without the consent of Sterling, making the decision to publish the private recording invasive. However, TMZ’s release should be applauded, as racist comments coming from owners of sports teams comprised of mainly African Americans need to be exposed in order to prevent this behavior in the future.
Although Sterling has done nothing illegal by making these comments, he has been condemed by the media for his racism. This forced the NBA to make its decision to remove him from Clippers operations quickly because of the bad reputation it gave the league.
According to Stiviano’s lawyer, the recording was taped by mutual agreement. Sterling has denied this claim and states that he was “baited” into making racist remarks. TMZ is justifed in posting the audio recording, even if it was allegedly unlawfully recorded, because it is vital for the public to hear Sterling’s remark.
While Sterling has the right to privacy regarding the disclosure of sensitive information and a right to free speech, the majority of his team consists of African Americans, thereby making his remarks worthy of consequences.
Silver’s decision to ban Sterling from the league is warranted because his comments are harmful to the NBA’s relationship with players and sponsors.
According to an NBA executive, Sterling is planning to sue the NBA for removing him from Clippers operations and for fining him $2.5 million. The other 29 owners of NBA teams will vote to potentially force Sterling to give up ownership of the Clippers. It is in the best interest of the NBA owners to remove Sterling from the league to take a stand against racism.
Many people were outraged by Sterling’s discriminating comments. Sterling has voiced his racist attitudes in the past, but these recent recordings have been the most discriminatory comments that people have heard from Sterling. Although TMZ is known for exposing controversial topics on social media, it has benefited the NBA and its fanbase by releasing the tape and exposing the discriminatory attitudes of an NBA team leader.
According to National Public Radio’s Gene Demby, NBA owners live by an unspoken social contract that Sterling broke. Owning an NBA franchise is a privilege, not a right, and when this contract is broken, the NBA front office should hand out a severe punishment to discourage this behavior in the future.
TMZ is justified in leaking the audio recording to the public, despite leagalities. Sterling does not deserve to own the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team regardless of the fact that he expressed his racist views in the privacy of his home.
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