National Basketball Association

Kevin Johnson calls for Sterling to be suspended

Published Apr. 29, 2014 3:05 a.m. ET

foxsports

Former NBA star and Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson has called for the NBA to suspend Donald Sterling indefinitely, appoint an executive or family member to run the team, and levy ''the maximum fine possible'' as punishment for the racist remarks purportedly made by the Los Angeles Clippers' owner.

Johnson is advising the National Basketball Players Association while the Sterling matter plays out and posted to Twitter early Tuesday, saying, ''We're at a defining moment in the history of the National Basketball Association.''

Johnson acknowledged that it might not be possible to force Sterling to sell the team, but made it clear the players believe ''Mr. Sterling should no longer have the privilege of being an owner of an NBA team.''

Johnson questioned how many of the league's players, many of whom are African-American, would want to work for Sterling.