The NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, said at a news conference in New York that an inquiry had established that Sterling expressed the remarks heard on a leaked recording, which were “contrary to the principles of inclusion and respect that form the foundation of our diverse, multicultural and multi-ethnic league.”

Silver also be fined Mr. Sterling $2.5 million, the maximum allowed under the NBA’s unpublished constitution, and that he would now press the NBA’s governing body of other team owners to force Sterling to sell the Clippers.

These sanctions against Sterling, were welcomed by the other NBA teams and its players which 70% them are African American, the issue was dubbed as a defining moment for the league.

Silver expressed his emotions on this situation at the podium at NBA headquarters in New York. “The views expressed by Mr Sterling are deeply offensive and harmful … that they came from an NBA owner only heightens the damage and my personal outrage.”

Silver acknowledged Sterling’s comments “I am personally distraught that the views expressed by Mr Sterling came from within an institution that has historically taken such a leadership role in matters of race relations.”

This ban restrict Sterling from having any contact with the NBA or the Clippers organisation, no longer will he be able to attend any Clippers games, practices and official functions on behalf of the team. He is barred from participating in any business, staff or player decisions.

With these new restriction imposed on Sterling, Silver hopes to force Sterling to sell the Clippers. Doing so would require approval by a vote of three quarters of NBA owners, Silver fully expected to receive enough support from fellow NBA governors to force Sterling to sell the Clippers.

The $2.5 million penalty, which is only a fraction of Sterling’s reported $1.9 billion for the Clippers, is to be donated to organisation’s dedicated to tackling discrimination and intolerance.

A statement released by the LA Clippers said the team “wholeheartedly support and embrace the decision” announced by Sterling. They added: “Now the healing process begins.” Visitors to the team’s website (http://on.nba.com/1kciHHMwere) directed to a page stating simply “we are one.”

The current player were not the only ones to support Silver in his decision as Magic Johnson, said on Twitter, “commissioner Silver showed great leadership in banning LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life.”

The punishment was announced almost four days after he was heard on audio telling girlfriend V. Stiviano, to stop bringing black guests to Clippers games. He also complained that Stiviano, who frequently accompanies him at the Staples Center, was posing with black people in photographs posted to her Instagram account.