World's Largest Poker Room Pulls Advertising With Los Angeles Clippers NBA Franchise

The Commerce Casino, the world’s largest poker room with 160 tables, has suspended its advertising relationship with the Los Angeles Clippers NBA franchise in the wake of racist comments made by team owner Donald Sterling.

“The Commerce Hotel and Casino has enjoyed being a sponsor of the L.A. Clippers for the past 18 years,” said a casino statement. “The arena experience for fans and the reputation the team has maintained is why we have aligned with the franchise. We know the NBA is reviewing the matter and we expect the NBA will quickly provide its findings and explain any action it will take. At this time, we are suspending our relationship with the L.A. Clippers pending the outcome of that review.”

Shortly after the statement was issued, league commissioner Adam Silver announced that Sterling had been banned for life by the NBA and fined $2.5 million. He also made it clear that he would try and force Sterling to sell his franchise, which can only be done with a majority vote by the rest of the league’s owners.

Sterling, the league’s longest-tenured owner, was recorded telling his then-mistress V. Stiviano that he didn’t want “black people” to attend to his team’s games. The nine-minute audio file also included references to the Holocaust.

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