Obama spokesman says president believes NBA did the right thing in banning Clippers owner

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White House press secretary Jay Carney gestures as he answers questions during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, April 30, 2014. Carney was asked several questions about the botched execution of Oklahoma inmate Clayton Lockett. (AP Photo)

WASHINGTON – U.S. President Barack Obama is supporting the NBA’s lifetime ban against Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling.

That’s according to White House press secretary Jay Carney. Carney said Wednesday that Obama believes the league did the right thing in response to Sterling’s racist comments.

Obama had weighed into the controversy over the weekend during a trip to Asia. The president called Sterling’s secretly recorded comments “incredibly offensive racist statements.”

Obama also cast Sterling’s remarks as part of a continuing legacy of slavery and discrimination that Americans have to constantly be on guard against.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the punishment Tuesday. Silver also said he will try to force a sale of the Clippers and fined Sterling US$2.5 million.

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