NIT – A league loved by black people allegedly has a team owner who doesn’t want them to come to games.
In a recording turned over to the celebrity website TMZ, a man reported to be Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling tells his girlfriend – who is half-black – not to bring black people to Clippers games.
The NBA – reeling from the situation – said it is “in the process of conducting a full investigation into the audio recording obtained by TMZ. The remarks heard on the recording are disturbing and offensive, but at this time we have no further information.”
Sterling also allegedly said his girlfriend should not be seen with black people like NBA star Magic Johnson.
Magic Johnson responded Saturday via Twitter, saying “LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s comments about African Americans are a black eye for the NBA. I feel sorry for my friends Coach Doc Rivers and Chris Paul that they have to work for a man that feels that way about African Americans.”
Meanwhile, the LA Clippers are embroiled in a heated first round series with the Golden State Warriors. Clippers coach Doc Rivers said the possibility of boycotting Game 4 of their playoff series in Oakland on Sunday was discussed amongst the players but was rejected.
“I think the biggest statement we can make as men, not as black men, as men, is to stick together and show how strong we are as a group,” Rivers said.
The league’s number one player, Lebron James, said Saturday that “Obviously, if the reports are true it’s unacceptable in our league. It doesn’t matter, white, black or Hispanic – all across the races it’s unacceptable. We can’t have that in our league.”
The Clippers claim the the recording – supposedly a phone conversation between Sterling and his girlfriend – was turned over to TMZ by a woman who has a vendetta against Sterling.
I think an interesting point is this. He is married. His wife was at the Playoff game against Golden State this afternoon. They made a point of introducing her as his wife and she decried her husband’s statements. His girlfriend is half black and half mexican. Very strange.
I agree with the players rep. All the facts need to be out on the table, including his past racist remarks and actions, that he should no longer be allowed to be an owner in the NBA, And be punished to the maximum!
@Mary Beth-here is a interesting point you missed. It is his money and his team and from what I heard today there was a lot of editing done to the recording to make it come out the way they wanted. Don’t jump to conclusions until everything is known. He would probably SELL it if you P.C. police have the money to buy it. With his money he probably doesn’t give a shit what you say anyway.
@Mary Beth-If you want to see a womanizer look no farther than Magic Johnson who bragged that he slept with hunderds of white women until he finally caught aids from one of them or Michael Jordon who did the same thing. They have a lot of guts talking about someone else.
Yes good point this Sterling guy seems like a real piece of work.
While listening to the conversation, it was clear to me that she was experienced at playing the race card, and was accustomed to having it work for her.
he employs quite a few of them so whats the problem. Its his opinion and hes allowed to have it.
He is entitled to his opinion. The one they should be going after is the person who illegally recorded his conversation. What is the country coming to when a person can not state his views in private without being attacked on all sides. Now the P.C. police are going to come out.
Doesn’t sound racist – sounds more like a gold digger trying to stay in the spotlight by pushing her BF’s buttons, trying to corner a man into admitting he doesn’t like blacks, and then recording it all to share with everyone.