The NBA has been investigating an audio recording of what appeared to be Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling making racist comments to his girlfriend about Magic Johnson.

Investigators of the NBA have determined that the recording is authentic and not altered in anyway. Commissioner Adam Silver held a press conference shortly after to discuss the punishment the NBA would deliver to Sterling.

"I am banning Mr. Sterling for life from any association with the Clippers organization or the NBA," said Silver.

Silver has also stated that Sterling will pay a 2.5 million dollar fine and will push the NBA board of governors to force Sterling to sell the team.

The scandal came to light when TMZ obtained a recording from what appeared to be Sterling's voice talking to his girlfriend about a photo she was uploading to Instagram.

Many people believed the NBA would just fine the former Clippers owners and suspend him for a few games, no one expected the NBA to actually ban Sterling. During the conference many fans took to social media applauding the decision made by the NBA and Silver.

Watch NBA Comissioner Adam Silver's press conference banning Donald Sterling:

Below is the audio that was leaked to TMZ. It has been deemed authentic by the NBA Legal Team and Donald Sterling himself:

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