What the NBA's actions really mean and a few other eye-catching headlines
Donald Sterling has been banned for life from the NBA. He will pay a fine of $2.5 million. He's been slapped down. The players are pleased. The other owners appear to be pleased. The media seems to be pleased. What does it mean for Mr. Sterling? More money in his pockets. Much more.
The NBA team he owns, but can no longer operate or even visit, was purchased in the 1980s for $12 million. Recent estimates of its value are in the range between $400 million and $590 million. Now basketball "experts" are talking about a bidding war to acquire the team that will exceed over $1 billion. In essence, this bidding war is actually going to reward this bigot by doubling the value of the Clippers.
That's what this really means. Is there anything that can be done? Maybe. Maybe the people with deep pockets who want to replace a legacy of bigotry and hatred with something better can work together to ensure that Donald Sterling does not receive an unexpected windfall in the sale of his team. Doubtful, given that people with the outsized net worth required to buy a pro sports team usually have outsized egos as well. Any attempt at such collusion would probably violate laws on the federal and state level.
But I have an idea. Let the people buy the team. Follow the model of the Green Bay Packers. If someone who could buy the team but supports this idea were to step forward and organize a bid by the people of Los Angeles, then anyone and everyone can own the Clippers. The equality of inclusion could sweep the hallways of hatred clean of its stench.
Just a thought.
* * *
Someone who shall remain nameless dropped a hint yesterday that at least one of the original cast members from the very first Star Wars trilogy would be appearing in the upcoming Episode VII. That was confirmed today as Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker were announced as being cast in the film.
Eight fifth-graders in Texas were a big hit at a school talent show with their "Synchronized Air-Swimming" routine.
A woman in Pennsylvania has lost a round in court as she fights to reverse the foreclosure sale of her home over $6.30 in unpaid interest. She plans to appeal the most recent ruling.
Secretary of State John Kerry did not apologize for remarks he made where he referred to Israel as possibly becoming an apartheid state.
In Providence, RI, a man has been arrested for attempting to rob businesses with a potato that he'd disguised as a gun. Reporter's note: No word yet on whether or not he will be charged carrying a concealed starch.
Friends and fellow students of Maren Sanchez, the Milford, CT teen who was stabbed to death when she turned down an invitation to the prom have honored her by posing with the green prom gown she never got to wear to the event.
The controversy over whether or not to keep the horse-drawn carriages that carry people through NYC's Central Park continues, as celebrity-trainer Jillian Michaels is supporting the effort to ban them.
90 year old Bella Hornung is just one of the residents of Prospect Park, an assisted living facility in Brooklyn who just got an eviction notice. She plans to stay as long as possible.
Bismarck, ND police have released video of a male burglar walking around inside a restaurant with a box on his head to conceal his identity.
Courtney Sanford was a 32 year old woman driving down a busy highway. The song "Happy" made her happy and she just had to post some selfies to FB to let all her friends know how happy she was. The distraction of doing this is almost certainly the cause of her crossing the highway median and plowing into a truck. She died. Reporter's note. What does it take to get people to put the phones away while driving?
From the new definition of "hyperbole" file: Emma Stone calling her boyfriend and co-star in "The Amazing Spiderman 2" "...obviously one of the greatest actors I think we have alive today."
The NBA team he owns, but can no longer operate or even visit, was purchased in the 1980s for $12 million. Recent estimates of its value are in the range between $400 million and $590 million. Now basketball "experts" are talking about a bidding war to acquire the team that will exceed over $1 billion. In essence, this bidding war is actually going to reward this bigot by doubling the value of the Clippers.
That's what this really means. Is there anything that can be done? Maybe. Maybe the people with deep pockets who want to replace a legacy of bigotry and hatred with something better can work together to ensure that Donald Sterling does not receive an unexpected windfall in the sale of his team. Doubtful, given that people with the outsized net worth required to buy a pro sports team usually have outsized egos as well. Any attempt at such collusion would probably violate laws on the federal and state level.
But I have an idea. Let the people buy the team. Follow the model of the Green Bay Packers. If someone who could buy the team but supports this idea were to step forward and organize a bid by the people of Los Angeles, then anyone and everyone can own the Clippers. The equality of inclusion could sweep the hallways of hatred clean of its stench.
Just a thought.
* * *
Someone who shall remain nameless dropped a hint yesterday that at least one of the original cast members from the very first Star Wars trilogy would be appearing in the upcoming Episode VII. That was confirmed today as Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker were announced as being cast in the film.
Eight fifth-graders in Texas were a big hit at a school talent show with their "Synchronized Air-Swimming" routine.
A woman in Pennsylvania has lost a round in court as she fights to reverse the foreclosure sale of her home over $6.30 in unpaid interest. She plans to appeal the most recent ruling.
Secretary of State John Kerry did not apologize for remarks he made where he referred to Israel as possibly becoming an apartheid state.
In Providence, RI, a man has been arrested for attempting to rob businesses with a potato that he'd disguised as a gun. Reporter's note: No word yet on whether or not he will be charged carrying a concealed starch.
Friends and fellow students of Maren Sanchez, the Milford, CT teen who was stabbed to death when she turned down an invitation to the prom have honored her by posing with the green prom gown she never got to wear to the event.
The controversy over whether or not to keep the horse-drawn carriages that carry people through NYC's Central Park continues, as celebrity-trainer Jillian Michaels is supporting the effort to ban them.
90 year old Bella Hornung is just one of the residents of Prospect Park, an assisted living facility in Brooklyn who just got an eviction notice. She plans to stay as long as possible.
Bismarck, ND police have released video of a male burglar walking around inside a restaurant with a box on his head to conceal his identity.
Courtney Sanford was a 32 year old woman driving down a busy highway. The song "Happy" made her happy and she just had to post some selfies to FB to let all her friends know how happy she was. The distraction of doing this is almost certainly the cause of her crossing the highway median and plowing into a truck. She died. Reporter's note. What does it take to get people to put the phones away while driving?
From the new definition of "hyperbole" file: Emma Stone calling her boyfriend and co-star in "The Amazing Spiderman 2" "...obviously one of the greatest actors I think we have alive today."
posted by me at 12:38 PM
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