TMZ has released an audio recording where a voice identified as Donald Sterling, owner of the LA Clippers, is making highly offensive remarks about African-Americans to his then-girlfriend V. Stiviano. The Comments He are some of the comments attributed to Sterling on the recording: - "It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that youre associating with black people. Do you have to?" - "You can sleep with [black people]. You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it on that ... and not to bring them to my games." - "Im just saying, in your lousy (expletive) Instagram, you dont have to have yourself with, walking with black people." - "...Dont put him [Magic] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And dont bring him to my games." League Responds NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has expressed profound disappointment over the comments and has urged the public to allow for due process to run its course before any action is taken. "All members of the NBA family should be afforded due process and a fair opportunity to present their side of any controversy," Mr. Silver said, "which is why Im not yet prepared to discuss any potential sanctions against Donald Sterling. We will, however, move extraordinarily quickly in our investigation." The Clippers have declared that these comments do not reflect the views of Sterling and that they are looking into the issue. The public was also reminded that the source of the recording, Stiviano, is being sued by Sterlings wife for embezzling $1.8 million in the form of cash, cars and other items from the Clippers owner, thereby suggesting that the veracity of the recording should be questioned. Investigation The first step for the NBA is authenticating the recording. That means confirming that the voice on the recording is that of Sterling and that the recording was not doctored. Sterling may admit that the voice is his, but allege that his ex-girlfriend doctored the tape as payback for being sued by the Clippers owner. Authenticating the recording may not be an easy process. The NBA will need to get Stiviano to agree to be interviewed (likely under oath), which she may decline. If she refuses to talk to the league, there is little it can do to force her since the NBA does not have subpoena power (or an ability to force Stiviano to submit to an interview). The NBA could also hire an expert to review the recording to assess the likelihood that it has been tampered with and whether the voice is that of Sterling. The NBA is being criticized for not suspending Sterling pending the outcome of the investigation. While the sentiment is understandable, the NBA is bang on here. It is important to observe the principles of fundamental justice, which include that justice be administered fairly. A person is entitled to a fair shake even in the face of despicable comments. The NBA is proceeding with its investigation expeditiously and is aiming to have it done in a "few days". Until then, it is important, if not critical, that the process be respected. Fines, Suspensions and Sale of Team Some people around the league want Sterling gone permanently given his a history of being racially insensitive. In 2009, Sterling was sued for discriminatory housing practices after being accused of seeking to drive African-Americans and Latinos from his apartment buildings. The billionaire settled the lawsuit by paying $2.725 million. He was also sued by his former GM Elgin Baylor, who filed a wrongful termination lawsuit that included allegations of racism. In part, Baylor alleged that Sterling rejected a coach because he was African-American. While some want Sterling gone, the NBA is unlikely to force Sterling to sell the team. If the league tried, they would likely be sued by Sterling, who in part, would allege that the league is violating antitrust laws. If successful, such a lawsuit could get Sterling a massive payout. A more likely scenario is a long suspension. And there is a precedent for that: former Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott. In December 1992, Schott was quoted in the New York Times as saying that her use of the N-word was a joke after referring to Eric Davis and Dave Parker as her "million-dollar n------". In that same interview, she made favourable comments about Adolf Hitler. As a result, MLB suspended Schott for one year. In 1996, she was suspended for another two years after more racially insensitive comments. In 1998, with her health failing, she agreed to sell the team. Apart from a suspension, we could also see a substantial fine. Ultimately, a fine of $1 million to $5 million would not be surprise. If authenticated, the comments are of course completely unacceptable, highly offensive and frankly disturbing. As well, according to a recent report, African-Americans comprise 76 per cent of all NBA players, while 81 per cent of players are of colour. So the NBA knows one thing: it has to get this right. And that may mean a long suspension and hefty fine. Expulsion, however, doesnt seem likely given the legal challenges. Shoes Wholesale China Market . Leaning forward with both hands on his knees, Buffon appeared to be resting or somehow trying to withstand the rain. Or perhaps the 36-year-old goalkeeper and Italy captain was reflecting on this: He is only the third player in history to be part of five World Cup squads, along with Germany great Lothar Matthaus and former Mexico goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal. Cheap Replica Shoes China . James Erskine said Tuesday that Thorpe was "quite sick" in a Sydney hospital but dismissed media reports the swimmer might lose the use of his left arm. "Hes not in the intensive care," Erskine said. http://www.wholesaleshoes.us.org/ . - Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery was so busy in free agency he didnt mind having a few extra weeks to prepare for the draft. Wholesale Shoes From China . The struggling New Orleans Pelicans were simply overmatched. Crawford hit seven 3s on his way to 24 points, and the Clippers beat the Pelicans 123-110 on Monday night. "We understand what we do well. If we all do what we do well, well make our team stronger," Crawford said. Cheap Shoes China Wholesale . The Swiss won on the fastest run-time tiebreaker after the four-racer teams tied 2-2. Wendy Holdener and Reto Schmidiger won their final heats against Julia Mancuso and Tim Jitloff, respectively.SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Sharks returned from the All-Star break in playoff position but knowing they have almost no margin for error if they want to make an 11th straight post-season trip.The Sharks entered Tuesday in second place in the Pacific Division with 56 points in 48 games. But with only a 10-point lead over 12th place Minnesota in the tightly packed Western Conference, the Sharks know they have their work cut out for them down the stretch of the season.Were in a dogfight, coach Todd McLellan said. Thats the best way of putting it. My time here with the group weve been comfortably in the playoff picture. There have been a couple other years where we had to battle and were in the middle of one of those battles or dogfights.San Jose has made the playoffs for 10 straight seasons — the second-longest active streak in the NHL. But after becoming just the fourth NHL team to lose a best-of-seven series after winning the first three games in the first round last year against Los Angeles, Sharks general manager Doug Wilson talked about the need to take a step back before taking two steps forward.The team made few off-season additions, choosing instead to give more opportunities to young players. Rookies like Melker Karlsson and Barclay Goodrow have made contributions this season and young veterans like Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture and Marc-Edouard Vlasic have taken on added responsibility.But more work is needed if the Sharks are going to reach the level of the top teams in the Western Conference.Were in a playoff spot right now, so positive, Couture said about his outlook on the team. I ddont know if weve played our best hockey yet.dddddddddddd. Were still improving, which is also positive. We realize we have a tough road ahead to get to the playoffs.Consistency has been a major problem for the Sharks, who have seven losses against the bottom six teams in the league but are 6-0-2 against the four first-place teams.Were a middle-of-the-pack team right now, McLellan said. Until we declare ourselves any different and thats through play and wins, thats what we are. We have to take steps forward to overcome that.The Sharks will begin the post-break stretch on Thursday night against Anaheim without two key players. Defenceman Justin Braun and forward Tommy Wingels both broke bones in their left hands on Jan. 19 against New Jersey. Braun got hurt blocking a shot from Mike Cammalleri and Wingels was injured on a slash by Cammalleri later in the game.Both players are expected to miss a few more weeks but would like to be back in time to play the outdoor game at Levis Stadium on Feb. 21 against Los Angeles. Whether that is possible remains to be seen.The Sharks managed to win their first game without those two key players last Wednesday when they beat Los Angeles 4-2.Tommy and Brauny are big parts of our team, Goodrow said. Tommy can really play anywhere in our lineup — special teams, PK, PP. Hes a key guy on our team and with him out, guys like myself are going to need to step up and bring a little more to the table.The Sharks do expect to get rookie defenceman Mueller back. Mueller has been out with an upper-body injury since returning from the World Junior Championship ' ' '