Friday, May 9, 2014

Adam Silver's power play

Besides the countless millions of casual observers, opinions, even amongst legal analysts, are clearly divided over how the ongoing Donald Sterling saga might eventually play out.

Prosecuting types think the NBA shedding itself of the entire Sterling family is a done deal. But current and former prosecutors think everybody's guilty. It's in their DNA.

Conversely, the defense types say -- not so fast. There are issues of rights and those pesky little details of evidence to be thoroughly examined before any judgement can be rendered. But current and former defense attorneys think everybody's innocent. It's in their DNA.

It's kind of like Republicans and Democrats. The only thing prosecutors and defense attorneys can agree on is that their side is always right, and the other side is always wrong. Once they sign on to their respective stations in life, it appears any form of objective thinking, much less getting at the truth, gets thrown out the window. It becomes a win at all costs game. If it wasn't so tragic for the average people that get caught up in it -- it would be comical. But back to Adam Silver.

The NBA Commish has fired another salvo aimed not only at Donald Sterling, but apparently his wife Shelly and co-owner of the LA Clippers as well.

The NBA has appointed an "interim CEO" to take charge of the Clippers while the current snafu drags on.

Enter one Richard Parsons. Parsons made his fame (and fortune) in banking, publishing, and even circulated in the highest level of politics. A sort of behind the scenes mercenary big-shot for hire. Yet does he have the faintest clue how to oversee a professional sports franchise?

Answer -- he doesn't have to. He's merely Silver's designated temporary toady regarding the Clippers. Here's a few things to consider......

How can Silver and the NBA appoint someone to run the Clippers before the other league owners have even voted with a three quarter majority to oust Sterling? It's hardly plausible that vote has already secretly taken place because, when it comes, as it must for Silver to have a legal leg to stand on -- surely it will be trumpeted to the media and masses. So it's a pretty safe bet to conclude that vote hasn't happened yet.

Even if Donald Sterling has been temporarily shunted aside, what of his wife Shelly? Absent her husband's participation, as a co-owner, shouldn't the vote of the Clippers' franchise fall to her when the billionaire club convenes?

Of course there are those that are trying desperately to dig up any kind of dirt they can find on Mrs. Sterling, so as to lump her in with her husband as an unsuitable owner. Surely Adam Silver and his minions in the NBA offices are aware of this and, if not fanning the flames behind the scenes, definitely savoring the spectacle. It works to their advantage.

But even if Mrs. Sterling is somehow "disqualified", the next in line of the Clipper hierarchy would be team president Andy Roeser. Quite mysteriously, Roeser has taken an indefinite leave of absence. No explanation given -- just gone to parts unknown when the room suddenly got very hot. Something is very fishy about this....

So without the principal owner, his co-owner wife, and even the team president, who's left to be in charge of the Clippers? Doc Rivers? Gimme a break. He's merely a coach, a hired hand, several very large steps removed from rightfully having a say-so in how the franchise conducts its business.

So let's sum it up. Evidently, having most, but not all of the media and court of public opinion on his side isn't enough for Adam Silver. By appointing Richard Parsons to oversee the Clippers before the other owners have given their consent  -- the Commish is pre-empting the very NBA by-laws he claims gives him authority to act in the first place. Let's get real. Silver no doubt not only wants a three quarters majority vote of other owners to enable his acting against Sterling -- he wants it to be unanimous. By prematurely putting his own stooge in charge of the Clippers over the family that still owns them, he has negated a surely dissenting vote.

There's such a thing as playing serious hardball. Also, doing one's homework to cover all the bases possible, and even spinning a story to get the masses behind one's cause.

But Adam Silver attempting to stack the deck in his favor before the cards are even dealt is a definite no-no.

And don't think the lawyers working for the Sterlings haven't noticed. It just gives them more ammunition in a legal war that is likely to last for quite some time -- possibly many years.




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