Hear. We have the whole thing covered for you right here at the top of the hour with cnn sports anchor, rachel nichols. She is inside that room. We will check in with her momentarily. Of course, once the News Conference begins, i will stop talking, we will take that live, in full. A little bit of back story. Donald sterling has kept a fairly low profile since this audiotape emerged. But see this video . He, along with his wife i should say his estranged wife, were caught leaving a Los Angeles Area strount jurestaura this past sunday night. The paparazzi shouting questions at him. He himself didnt answer any questions about the audiotape, which he allegedly made. These racist remarks about africanamericans. But the comment attributed to him has ignited a firestorm in the professional sports community. Take a listen. Dont come to my games. Dont bring black people, dont come. Do you know you have a team thats black . I support them and ive given them food and clothes and cars and houses. Who gives it to them . Does someone else give it to them . That was a piece of this audio. Youre seeing here, this is the Clippers Team, this is what they did, this silent protest at the playoff game this past weekend, game four in oakland. You know, warming up without any visible clippers logo here. Tonight will be the first game. Were hours away from the first game at the Staples Center in l. A. Since this whole story broke. And everyone is waiting to see how the players, how coach doc rivers, how the fans in l. A. Will be reacting. So we have live coverage for you here on this from every single angle. Stephanie elam is live at the Staples Center for us in los angeles. Thurl bailey is vice chairman of the nba retired Players Association. And a former nba player. Jerry stackhouse is a former nba star, just retired this past season after 18 years in the league. David cornwell is a sports attorney. And Cnns Wolf Blitzer is staying on with me here as we continue to wait for this News Conference to begin at nba headquarters. You see the bottom right of your screen. Jerry, youre here with me in the studio, let me begin with you. Really at this moment it is a guessing game. We dont know what the commissioner will rule, will decide, short of forcing sterling to sell. But ahead of this, what are you thinking . I dont think that he has the power to force him to sell. He doesnt. I think its going to be some extreme as far as suspension, and maybe not attending any more games. But i cannot see that the owners who put themselves in the position to allow the commissioner to take the team away from him. You are fresh out of the league. I mean, help us understand the mindset, finally, i think this is the winningest season for the clippers, right, in their franchise history. Here they are ahead of game five, a couple of hours away. How would you be feeling . Id like to put it in perspective. Theres probably a ton of a number of players that have played for the Los Angeles Clippers that have never even spoken to Donald Sterling. So i think its getting a little blown out of proportion. No one wants to play for an owner who has his views and has that type of vial opinion about africanamericans. But i think we you know, its not the first, and im pretty sure hes not the only owner. In some certain collective bargaining sentence, its been put out that we pay you. This is banter that goes on during the collective bargaining and nobody says anything about it. Now that this, you know, this tape thats been obtained illegally, in my opinion, now all of a sudden its raising this big stir. I think he shouldnt be the only one to wear this hat, in my opinion. Stay right here with me in the studio, jerry. Lets broaden the conversation. Thurl bailey, youve been watching, as we could be getting a bombshell, as big as we could see within his own legal capacity as far as the commissioner adam silver goes. What are you thinking might happen here as we watch and wait . Well, i know what i hope happens. And i think each one of us may be different in our opinion, but ultimately i think we all like to see some justice done. And a stern reprimand. But i have to agree with jerry in some ways. But in other ways i think regardless of how the tape was recorded, or whether it was a private conversation or not, i think it shows the true light of who Donald Sterling is. And regardless of what hes done in the past, regardless of good deeds or bad deeds, now its public. Its public for the world to see. And its just a mark. Its a black mark, so to speak, on the nba. And this is historic. Im anticipating what adam silver will do. And i hope that it has something to do with ban issuement. So well see in just a few minutes. Well see. Im keeping my eyes clearly trained on this live picture, nba headquarters as were awaiting adam silver. He just had the top job a couple of months. And could, as thurl pointed out, could make history here as far as the league goes. Wolf blitzer, let me bring you into this. This is a story that has reverberated. This is bigger than basketball. This has reverberated beyond the league, beyond professional sports. Its what anyone is really talking about right now, even the president of the United States, wolf, commented on it. We know hes a big basketball fan, he commented on this over the weekend. While he was on a weeklong visit to asia, he was asked about it, made a very, very strong statement. Hes a huge basketball fan, as you know. And all of our viewers know as well, loves the nba, like so many of us. Youre right, this is a lot bigger than just a local story. This is a huge story. Not only in terms of the Los Angeles Clippers in the nba, but sports in general. And whats going on in the country right now. People all over the world will be watching. You know, i want to quickly go i want to quickly go to brooke, to stephanie elam, outside the Staples Center. Thats where the Los Angeles Clippers and the los angeles lakers, they play. I know there are some folks wanting to get permits. They want to protest. Whats going on over there, stephanie . Reporter wolf, as you know, its early here. Already you can feel the energy is starting to ramp up to what is about to happen, what were going to hear from from the nba. And also as far as whats going to happen during this game tonight. The barricades are up. Ive seen billboards being changed. I can only assume these sponsorships that have fallen out. Theyre being very, very tight about security, because theyre afraid about the protests, depending on the outcome of this press conference that were about to listen to. They want to know that something is really going to happen, that is a severe punishment. Which obviously people have concerns about. Ive been looking at social media, talking to people out here. People are saying, i want to go to the game to support the players. Other people saying all the players need to boycott from across the nba, not just the clippers. Still, i think some people are going to come out to support the young men, but show their disdain for these comments by either wearing black, doing something else. What that concerted effort is going to be, we dont know. But we can definitely see the energy starting to ramp up this early in the day, wolf. I assume it will be a sellout crowd there at the Staples Center, stephanie. You know, my heart goes out to the players, not only the players for the clippers, but for the warriors. My heart goes out to all of them, because this seems to be overshadowing what should be such a fun, exciting moment, the playoffs, the nba playoffs. What a great time. Im sure youve been speaking to people about that. Reporter exactly. A lot of people are saying, think about it from the perspective of these men on this team. This is something that theyve wanted all their life. Youre going to assume. Theyve been playing a long time. This is something theyve dreamed about. And here the clippers, a team that wasnt known for making it this far, is in this position, and to have this massive distraction. For the president of the Players Association to also be on the clippers, chris paul, to have to deal with this distraction, when other teams can just focus on their game. Of course, the Golden State Warriors will be aware of all this going on. Maybe theyre hoping it will break in their favor. But theyre not untouched by this scandal. No one in the nba is. And thats the difference with this. Stephanie, thanks very much. Thats why the new commissioner of the nba, adam silver is moving quickly. Hes got to move decisively right now. This comes at it would be awful at any time, but right in the middle of the playoffs. Its extremely awkward for those players, and certainly all of our hearts go out to those players right now. Hours away from game five, best set of seven. Definitely on the minds, i imagine not just of the l. A. Clippers, but this is something that is pervasive among all teams. We saw the miami heat, a number of other teams marking this in solidarity. But the game is going on. The coach doc rivers saying basically, guys, play through. One of the questions a lot of people are wondering is, what does doc rivers do, depending on what the commissioner decides. Will coach rivers say anything ahead of tonights game, to address the fans, many of whom are furious as is much of the Basketball Community over this owner. Since 1981, the longest Franchise Owner in nba history, allegedly said in these audio tapes. Were watching and waiting, let me be clear, this is actually technically not nba headquarters. This is the hilton hotel in new york. Maybe they needed a bigger room. I can imagine the Media Presence, the tremendous Media Presence awaiting this big announcement. What that announcement is, we still are watching and waiting to hear from this newly minted commissioner for nba, adam silver. David cornwell, let me bring you into this conversation. You are a sports attorney. You have thought through, im sure, all the different possible scenarios, given the power that this commissioner has, as far as decisions go. And Donald Sterlings future. What could we hear in a matter of minutes . Well, i actually dont want to steal adams thunder. But i just received a text indicating that he was going to suspend Donald Sterling indefinitely, and fine him 5 million. But would not attempt to take the team from him. I think thats a swing and a miss. I dont think its enough. But if thats in fact the discipline that he imposes, its because the commissioner has determined that the road from here to taking the team from Donald Sterling is likely to be too bumpy, and too tough, that the owners dont want to endure it. But my view is that this is an unprecedented act that calls for an unprecedented response. There have been up to this point two kryptonite issues in sports. Gambling, because it goes to the integrity of the game, steroids over the last two decades, because it goes to the integrity of the game, and now i think racism should be added to that list. Because an owner simply should not be able to profit on the commitment and excellence of black men, and then hold these views about black men. Theres just no place for this kind of person in professional sports, and particularly in the nba. David, let me step back a beat. Because we at cnn do not have that reporting ahead of adam silvers decision. Can i just ask you, is your source from whom you received this text familiar with the situation currently . This is a viable source of yours . Im willing to rely on them. But i cant make that decision for cnn, yes. Okay. And so given that possible news that, again, were waiting and watching for this news to break here, from the nba commissioner, just so were all Crystal Clear and understand, in the position of commissioner, he cannot say, hey, youre fired, mr. Sterling. Because ultimately, its up to, if it were to go this route, there are 30 owners, and it would take a threefourths majority of those owners to say, yes, you need to yank the franchise, correct . Yes. What they would do is essentially, its called terminating the franchise. They would say that the clippers are no longer part of the nba. Now, that would be essentially the nuclear option, and a practical solution to that would be in order for mr. Sterling, or Donald Sterling i dont think he deserves to be called mr. To preserve the value of the franchise, he would sell. And for the nba to preserve the franchise, they would allow him to sell. So you would impose this termination of the franchise with the expectation you would have a practical solution in the actual sale of the team. Okay. Mr. Cornwell, im going to come back to you. Again, just watching and reminding all of our viewers here, this is running about 15 minutes or so late, as we are waiting for a po tex bombshell from hes just been in the job a couple of months adam silver, the new nba commissioner to really decide publicly the fate of the l. A. Clippers owner, Donald Sterling. Here he is. Lets take a listen. Thank you all for being here. I apologize for starting a little bit late. Shortly after the release of an audio recording this past saturday morning, of a conversation that allegedly included clippers owner Donald Sterling, the nba commenced an investigation which among other things included an interview of mr. Sterling. That investigation is now complete. The central findings of the investigation are that the man whose voice is heard on the recording, and on a second recording from the same conversation that was released on sunday, is mr. Sterling. And that the hateful opinions voiced by that man are those of mr. Sterling. The views expressed by mr. Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful. That they came from an nba owner only heightens the damage and my personal outrage. Sentiments of this kind are contrary to the principles of inclusion and respect that form the foundation of our diverse, multicultural, and multiethnic league. I am personally distraught that the views expressed by mr. Sterling came from within an institution that has historically taken such a leadership role in matters of race relations. And caused current and former players, coaches, fans, and partners of the nba to question their very association with the league. To them, and pioneers of the game, like earl lloyd, chuck cooper, sweetwater clifton, the great bill russell, and particularly Magic Johnson, i apologize. Accordingly, effective immediately, i am banning mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers Organization, or the nba. Mr. Sterling may not attend any nba games or practices. He may not be present at any clippers facility, and he may not participate in any business where player personnel decisions involving the team. He will also be barred from attending nba board of governors meetings, or participating in any other league activity. I am also fining mr. Sterling 2. 5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the nba constitution. These funds will be donated to organizations dedicated to antidiscrimination and tolerance efforts that will be jointly selected by the nba and its Players Association. As for mr. Sterlings ownership interest in the clippers, i will urge the board of governors to exercise its authority to force a sale of the team, and will do everything in my power to ensure that that happens. This has been a painful moment for all members of the nba family. I appreciate the support and understanding of our players during this process. And i am particularly grateful for the leadership shown by coach doc rivers, Union President chris paul, and mayor Kevin Johnson of sacramento, who has been acting as the players representative in this matter. We stand together in condemning mr. Sterlings views. They simply have no place in the nba. Thank you, and ill take any questions. Questions now . We start with scott in the back right. Adam scott, bloomberg. Do any of your adversaries have any clue as to whether sterling will acquiesce to your decision to sell the team or do you expect a fight . I have no idea. Next question right here, rachel. From polling the owners that youve spoken to, what support do you think you have to force mr. Sterling to sell the team . I didnt poll the owners. I spoke to several owners. And i have their full support. On the right, brian . Associated press. What kind of authority do they have to force a sale . The owners have the authority, subject to threequarters vote, of the ownership groups of the partners to remove him as an owner. Fifth row in the middle . The word you used specifically was outrage. You said that you were personally outraged. Yet many people believe that they are outraged that for years, people have known that this man is a racist, slum lord, and the nba hasnt done anything until today. Can you please answer why . I cant speak to past actions other than to say that when specific evidence was brought to the nba, we akd. Acted. Over here. Second row on the left. Fox news for the kelly file. Should someone lose their team for remarks shared in private, as this is a slippery slope . Whether or not these remarks were initially shared in private, they are now public. And they represent his views. Fifth row in the middle, tim . Get a microphone there, please. New york post quoik. Adam, what was the process to come into this decision over the last couple days, and when did you decide that this was the appropriate action to take . I ultimately decided this morning that this was the appropriate action, and the process beginning saturday morning when this first when this tape was first released was to apoint an investigator. It was david anders from the Wachtel Lipton firm. He conducted interviews, some by phone, some in person. He concluded his investigation late last night. Seventh row on the left, jeff . Lets get the microphone to jeff, please. Usa today.