NBA officials have taken the next step in scrubbing the stain left by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s racist ranting. The league is working with team management to appoint an interim chief executive officer to guide the franchise through what is expected to be a difficult transition after Sterling was banned for life earlier this week by commissioner Adam Silver. The move was announced just hours before the Clippers beat the Warriors in Game 7 of their playoff series Saturday night at the Staples Center. Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, pictured, could avoid a multi-million dollar tax bill if forced to sell the team
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The announcement was made by league officials shortly before Saturday night's Game 7 versus the Golden State Warriors
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Estranged wife and co-owner Rochelle Sterling welcomed the move, as did coach and president of basketball operations Doc Rivers
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The team won 126-121 to move on to the Western Conference semifinals
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NBA officials made a similar move installing an interim CEO to run the New Orleans Hornets during the 2011-12 season
Clippers coach @placeholder deferred to league executives when before Saturday’s big game whether the timing of the announcement would affect his team.