New York, NY, - CORE – The Congress of Racial Equality applauded the NBA's lifetime ban on LA Clippers owner, Ronald Sterling. CORE Executive Director, George Holmes, called NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's decision, the right thing to do.

Holmes said that he and the Congress of Racial Equality - CORE were outraged over the racist comments made by Sterling during the now infamous recorded conversation between Sterling and his mistress. Holmes said it boggles the mind to learn that an individual who owns a team in a sport where more than 70% of the players are African-American could harbor such blatantly racist opinions. He called the lifetime ban and fine a good first step but said he hopes the NBA will go even further.

Holmes called on the NBA to use whatever process available to them to seize the team from Sterling. He pointed out that there are procedures in criminal and civil law that allow for property to be seized from individuals under certain circumstances. "Ronald Sterling should be denied the ability to profit from the sale of the LA Clippers. Clearly he has abused the privilege to own a NBA team—or for that matter any sports team—and should therefore forfeit ownership without any financial consideration" Holmes added.

Holmes said that he intends to reach out to NBA Commissioner Silver and NBPA President Chris Paul and work with them in joint efforts to fight racism and discrimination in all of its ugly forms.