The Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA are in the middle of the playoffs and have a chance to be a title team. But their owner, Donald Sterling is in the news for other reasons. TMZ released an almost ten minute tape of a telephone conversations said to be between Sterling and his girlfriend.
“The remarks heard on the recording are disturbing and offensive, but at this time we have no further information,” NBA executive vice president of communication Mike Bass said. He also said the league is conducting a “full investigation.”
The person on the recording asked a female associate:
Why are you taking pictures with minorities, why?” and told her not to bring to Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson to Clippers games. The person said it bothers him that she posted photos of herself with black people on her Instagram account. After a recent Clippers game, the woman took a picture with Magic Johnson. “Yeah, it bothers me a lot that you want to promo, broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?” the person also said.
Adam Silver, the new NBA commissioner faces his first big test. If the audio turns out to be Sterling, will he be suspended. Will he be allowed to remain an owner in a league where most of the workers are black.
In 2009 the Clippers owner and real estate mogul agreed to pay a record $2.725 million to settle allegations that he discriminated against African Americans, Hispanics and families with children at scores of apartment buildings he owns in and around Los Angeles. This may be his last Rodeo as an owner.
Update:
The Los Angeles Clippers have issued a formal response to racist statements allegedly made by Clippers owner Donald Sterling on an audio recording that was reported by TMZ late Friday.
Clippers President Andy Roeser says in the statement that the team does not know if the man recorded is Sterling but that the statements do not reflect Sterling’s “views, beliefs or feelings.”
Furthermore, Roeser claims the woman on the tape is the defendant in a lawsuit filed by the Sterling family that claims she embezzled more than $1.8 million. Sterling told Roeser that the woman said she would “get even” with Sterling for bringing the lawsuit against her.
Dr. Kevin Purcell, DC. Dedicated to serving others …