If TMZ’s shocking audio release is indeed of Donald Sterling making racist statements about blacks, he may be in hot water with the NBA.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced on Saturday that there would be a probe launched into a recording that allegedly features Sterling insisting that his biracial girlfriend stop using her Instagram account to draw attention to the fact that minorities have anything to do with his sports team.
“It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people,” said the man thought to be Sterling.
It’s important to remember that the NBA team owner’s girlfriend V. Stiviano is herself half-black.
The fact that Sterling could make such comments about minorities and date a woman of color is quite the disconnect.
It’s possible that following this scandal, Stiviano may move on from the controversial sports figure.
In truth, accusations of racism are not new to the Los Angeles Clippers owner. Sterling has been sued multiple times for racial discrimination. In addition to reportedly making negative comments about blacks, Sterling is also said to have made negative comments about latinos and Koreans.
In the now viral audio recording, it’s thought Sterling even dissed NBA legend Magic Johnson.
TMZ reported this morning that Clippers owner Donald Sterling doesn't want me or other African-Americans to come to Clippers games.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 26, 2014
What’s most unfortunate is that the Los Angeles Clippers, a team that has been laughably bad for some time, actually have had a brilliant season.
Some fear that the team that has worked so hard will be made to suffer due to the ignorance and hate of the owner.
Clippers owner tells GF not to post pics of Magic Johnson or bring black people to games http://t.co/BsXrto2ZpJ pic.twitter.com/N0wf1q6hiS
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) April 26, 2014
Having an actual recording available means it’s for Sterling harder to deny the racist allegations made against him in this situation.
It also means that continuing to have a man like Sterling visibly associated with modern professional basketball could be bad for the entire sport.
Why is nobody asking why Donald Sterling is scheduled to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAACP on May 15th?
— John Kincade (@JohnKincade) April 27, 2014
Image via YouTube