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Michael Jordan releases statement following Sterling ban

CHARLOTTE — After NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Donald Sterling's ban from the Clippers and league, Michael Jordan released a statement through the Bobcats organization.

"I applaud NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's swift and decisive response today. He sent a powerful message that there can be zero tolerance for racism and hatred in the NBA. I'm confident that the league, our players and our fans will move on from this stronger and more unified."

This follows Jordan's previous statement from Sunday, in which he said he was "obviously disgusted" and "appalled" by Sterling's reported comments.

In Silver's press conference Tuesday afternoon, he said lawyers analyzed the phone calls and determined them to be authentic. Sterling will also have to pay a $2.5 million fine, the NBA's maximum. Silver said that money will be dedicated to anti-discriminatory efforts.