'Clipped' begins its countdown to story of how Donald Sterling became the most severely-punished NBA team owner in history
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Clipped', streaming on Hulu, is based on the ESPN 30 for 30 podcast 'The Sterling Affairs' and focuses on the downfall of former LA Clippers owner, Donald Sterling (played by Ed O'Neill).
Sterling bought the basketball team from producer Irv Levin for about $13.5 million in May 1981 and controversially moved the team from San Diego to Los Angeles three years later.
The real-estate mogul lost the team in 2014 following a scandal that led to his lifetime ban from the NBA.
Why did NBA ban Donald Sterling?
In 2014, TMZ released an audio clip that contained Donald Sterling's controversial remarks against Black people who attend the game of Clippers.
Hulu's 'Clipped' showcases how Sterling's young assistant/girlfriend, V Stiviano used to record their private conversations, citing Sterling's forgetfulness.
In the audio clip, Sterling could be heard asking Stiviano not to bring black people to his games. The leaked tape led to a widespread backlash with the NBA eventually announcing a lifetime ban and a fine of $2.5 million fine.
Sterling's private conversation with a woman he trusted cost him his reputation and eventual sale of Clippers via his wife, Shelly Sterling.
Though Sterling’s estimated $1.9 billion fortune, as of 2014, rendered the financial penalty a minor inconvenience, but the lifetime ban was a historic move intended to cleanse the league of his influence.
Comparing Donald Sterling’s punishment to other significant penalties in professional sports
In 2001, Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, was fined $100,000 by the NBA for making a derogatory gesture during a game, according to a report by ESPN.
Since acquiring the Mavericks in 2000, Cuban has allegedly paid over $1.8 million in fines, accounting for 10% of all fines paid to the NBA in that period, as per CBC.
This included the penalty of $500,000 in 2002 for harshly criticizing the NBA’s officiating staff.
Another major NBA suspension was handed to Ron Artest after the infamous 2004 brawl in Detroit.
Artest received an 85-game suspension, the longest in NBA history, for his role in the altercation with fans, underscoring the league's stance on maintaining decorum and safety.
In Major League Baseball, George Steinbrenner, the long-serving owner of the New York Yankees, faced multiple suspensions. In 1974, he was banned for making illegal contributions to Richard Nixon’s re-election campaign.
Steinbrenner was again suspended in 1990 for paying a gambler to dig up dirt on a player.
Formula One was also embroiled in a scandal in 2007 when the McLaren team was fined $100 million for espionage against Ferrari, according to The New York Times.
The severity of this fine demonstrated the gravity of cheating and the lengths to which sports leagues will go to preserve fairness.
Similarly, Donald Sterling’s lifetime ban from the NBA has been a landmark decision, reflecting the league’s zero-tolerance policy towards racism.
The upcoming episodes of 'Clipped' will showcase his downfall as he'll have to face the consequences of every word he said in those tapes.
How to stream 'Clipped'?
Four episodes of 'Clipped' are currently available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.
As 'Clipped' counts down to its finale, we can expect a deeper look into the intersection of ethics, conduct, and consequences in the world of professional sports.
'Clipped' Episode 5 and 6 will drop on June 25 and July 2 respectively.
'Clipped' trailer
