On Tuesday, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver banned 33-year owner of the LA Clippers, Donald Sterling, from the basketball league for life.  The premise of this banning was a racist remark made by Sterling that was recorded and leaked on two websites.  Sterling told his girlfriend that he did not want her going to a Clippers games with any African Americans.

  Sterling made remarks such as, “It bothers me a lot the you (Sterling’s girlfriend) want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people,” and, “…The little I ask you is not to promote it on that (instagram) and not to bring them to my games.”  In addition to Sterling’s ban for life, he is being fined 2.5 million dollars and is being pressured by other NBA team owners to sell his team.

  In the past, Sterling has advertised his racism and had to settle a suite which he spent 2.73 million dollars when accused of purposely not renting to African Americans or Latinos.  Many former NBA players, current team owners, and NBA fans are particularly disgusted by Sterling’s comments.  LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, even basketball elite Michael Jordan came out against Sterling criticizing him for his racist remarks.

  Despite the ignorance of Sterling’s statements, this case may later become important as a precedent in future cases.  Sterling made these remarks in confidence that he was not being recorded and that his statement would not become public knowledge, all he was aware of was the fact that he was having a private conversation with his girlfriend.

  It is obvious that what Sterling said is completely out of line and whatever punishments that come his way should be served, however it is important now to figure out where an American’s freedom of speech is limited to.  Additionally, Sterling’s private conversation going viral on the internet being recorded is an invasion of personal privacy that costed him an entire franchise. Should a similar case ever follow Sterling’s, it should be noted and outlined as to what can be reported and what cannot.