A game changer

It would seem Cliven Bundy and Donald Sterling are cut from the same horrible piece of cloth. But there’s a difference between the Nevada rancher and the billionaire Los Angeles Clippers owner—one that reminds why this country’s deep-seated racism and bigotry remain pervasive and problematic.

Both Bundy and Sterling were recorded making hateful comments—the latter caught on tape making racist remarks about black people, including Magic Johnson—but Sterling's have far greater reach and impact.

It's not the first time Sterling's faced such accusations—or worse. In 2009, former Clippers manager Elgin Baylor sued Sterling, alleging wrongful termination based on age and race. That same year, the Department of Justice ordered Sterling to pay a $2.72 million settlement in a race-based housing-discrimination case.

Despite this, Sterling's had little difficulty remaining in power.

That's the difference between him and Bundy. Both men are ignorant and mulishly backward. But unlike Bundy—who is, ultimately, a nobody—Sterling long enjoyed a position of considerable influence.

That's no longer acceptable.

Mayor Kevin Johnson, also chairman of the National Basketball Players Association's executive committee, put it this way in an April 28 Facebook post:

“[H]ow we choose to deal with … Sterling will absolutely be a defining moment in the NBA.”

On Tuesday, NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced Sterling was “banned for life” from the league. In addition, he declared his intent to force the sale of the team.

The NBA made the right move. The only possible move.

This is bigger than sports. If we want to change the conversation, then we must change the game and shift the balance of power.