Things just keep getting worse for Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Over the weekend, news broke of a recording of Sterling voicing his displeasure with girlfriend V. Stiviano posting pictures with African-Americans on social media, and on Tuesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that Sterling is banned from the NBA for life.

In addition to the lifetime ban, Sterling has also been fined $2.5 million, the most an individual has ever been fined in NBA history. Commissioner Adam Silver said on ESPN that he spoke with numerous owners and that this was the right decision to make. While he said that Sterling, for the time being, will not lose ownership of the Clippers, he said Sterling cannot attend any games or any owners meetings.

Commissioner Silver, who has known Sterling for more than 20 years, confirmed that the voice on the recording was in fact Sterling's. Silver added that he was "very disappointed" in the Clippers owner's choice of words.

Dallas Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban also voiced his approval of Silver's decision immediately after the announcement.

According to the NBA's ruling, Donald Sterling is never allowed to attend another NBA game, including any Clippers games. He also cannot participate with player conduct or player personnel. For example, he can't trade, release, or draft any players. His lifetime ban may end his run as the longest tenured owner in the NBA, since 1981, a period that saw the Clippers record one of the worst win-loss records in the league.

Mr. Silver also announced that if the owners receive a three quarters vote, Sterling will be forced to sell the franchise. It looks as if the protests by the players before the games had an effect. The NBA hates nothing more than negative attention. The Clippers still have a series to play against Golden State Warriors; Tuesday night is game 5 at Staples Center. The series is tied 2-2.