Sixty-five percent of Americans in a New York Times/CBS News poll approved of the NBA's decision to ban Donald Sterling for life and initiate a sale of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Over all, 21 percent said the league had been too punitive and 10 percent considered Sterling’s penalty too lenient.

Over all, 54 percent said his punishment was acceptable, while 43 percent said he should not be punished for statements made in private. White fans were split: 48 percent said it was appropriate, 47 percent disagreed.

Among black fans, 77 percent said Sterling should be compelled to sell the team; 59 percent of white fans agreed.

Seventy-seven percent of black adults said they followed professional basketball, as well as 51 percent of Hispanics and 38 percent of whites.