today, the NBA "initiated a charge" against Sterling, giving him one week to respond. After that, the Association owners will vote on whether to strip him of his franchise rights.
However, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has already levied the punishment - issuing a lifetime ban, a large fine, and announcing his intention to force Sterling to sell his team.
Silver had to act in order to reassure the players, the vast majority of whom are African Americans directly insulted by Sterlings' comments. However, the most powerful figure in the organization announcing a punishment before there has even been a formal charge or hearing is a textbook definition of denial of due process - "we'll give him a fair trial before we hang him."
I don't want this to read as a defense of Sterling - I think it is in the Association's best interests in kicking him out - but we are in for a long ride here. And I think that there is a good chance that, when things are all said in done, the NBA is going to be paying Sterling, not vice versa.
