Clippers owner Donald Sterling tells girlfriend to not bring African-Americans to his games

[bigdnlaca]

A boycott would hurt the players more than Sterling. Chris Paul cares more about his legacy and getting the playoff monkey off his back more than what some old guy said to his mistress. And there are guys sitting on that bench stealing money who want no part of any kind of boycott.

True about Paul. It looked like he didn't want no part of the midcourt huddle.

But I think it will hurt Sterling more than the players because the majority of the Clipper nation are either a) young people that can afford the Clipper tickets compared to the Lakers or b) Laker fans that jumped the wagon because the Clippers are winning and the Lakers are losing.

There aren't too many diehard Clipper fans in Los Angeles, and if it weren't for the winning and all-stars, the Clippers would probably have the same attendance records as the Sparks.

 

[casmith07]

This guy has done lots of stupid and bad things in the past. And no one in the NBA did a thing. Commish, Owners, Player Association.

So now suddenly they are all self righteous?

This is probably the most problematic.

One respite they have is that this is a new commissioner, so Silver can set a new precedent that Stern never would have (Stern probably agrees with Sterling...never trusted David Stern.)

 

[Denim Chicken]

I think his punishment should be that his team is not allowed to have any Black players for 10 years. Hehe j/k

 

[WoodysGirl]

Wow, talk about bait and BURN. That was one scorned woman with one goal - burn him. Bad. A totally private conversation (supposedly). (Well, except for the NSA and all...)

Sad, bad situation all around. What a mess.

Well, I read somewhere (so many articles out there now) that he knew he was being recorded. There are over a 100 tapes of audio of him, because he's often forgetful, so I guess he records himself for reminders.

I'd also like to add that I think it's pretty clear what Sterling's intention towards his groupie-girlfriend was. He had typical old man, young woman insecurities. That said, it takes nothing away from what he said.

 

[Nomad]

He was already considered one of the worst sports team owners for a long time before this, he's always on those lists of best/worst owners as one of the worst.

Also his real name isn't even Sterling it's like Tokovitz or something and his parents were Jewish immigrants. It makes it worse like he's covering up his own last name and heritage, and you would think he would understand discrimination a little more.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Marge Schott(owner of the Reds) got pushed out for having **** paraphernalia, among other things. Freedom of speech is one thing but an NBA owner is a 24/7 (public)job........ no matter what, when and where he says stupid things.

Evidently, this isn't his first run in regarding ethnics either from what I have read/heard.

After 18 years of ownership. That's not exactly lightspeed. I guess we'll see what happens.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Well, I read somewhere (so many articles out there now) that he knew he was being recorded. There are over a 100 tapes of audio of him, because he's often forgetful, so I guess he records himself for reminders.

I'd also like to add that I think it's pretty clear what Sterling's intention towards his groupie-girlfriend was. He had typical old man, young woman insecurities. That said, it takes nothing away from what he said.

He did know. He actually had this done himself so that he could go back and review what he had said because he was having difficulty remembering, according to reports.


There is no legal way this will happen IMO. It's even questionable if the tapes and the content can be used against him. I would not be surprised if the women is not prosecuted for leaking the tapes. I would guess that the tapes belonged to Sterling. This will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[Nirvana]

Let's see an audio of Sterling and someone else having a conversation. Hint: You won't find one. In CA both parties have to consent to be recorded, otherwise it is illegal. So of course her legal team would craft a story like that. I am sure all those tapes are of her conversations with him, which were many.

By the way it often seems like she is READING when she asks him questions....

 

[Lodeus]

Some sports are making it sound like I should feel sorry for Clippers players and NBA players for ONE racist owner. LOL! I may feel sorry for his wife for putting up with this old idiot but that's about it.

 

[joseephuss]

Let's see an audio of Sterling and someone else having a conversation. Hint: You won't find one. In CA both parties have to consent to be recorded, otherwise it is illegal. So of course her legal team would craft a story like that. I am sure all those tapes are of her conversations with him, which were many.

By the way it often seems like she is READING when she asks him questions....

I don't know about reading, but she is definitely baiting him.

 

[DFWJC]

I don't know about reading, but she is definitely baiting him.

Yeah, she was baiting him and was well aware of his insecurities. She said she'd get payback and so far that is panning out for her.

Looks like ex-reds owner Marge Schott, from 20 years ago, was a dying breed that certainly still has remnants.

I do wonder if the uproar would be the same if the script was flipped.
Highly doubt it.
But in any case, that does not change what appears to have taken place.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

The gold digger did egg him on but the dummy fell for it.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

If you can ban Pete Rose for gambling, by the way, you can ban Donald Sterling.

Just ban him for life from the NBA.

problem is, how can you ban an owner

unless the NBA buys his team back at FMV, how can you ban him?

 

[Phoenix]

Well with all of the sponsors pulling away from the team now, they would seem to be in some trouble...something has to change, and I don't know how it can't be anything other than ownership...

 

[Nirvana]

Sterling is having his hand forced here. Sell the team.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Well, I for one, hope that what this ultimately means is that Doc Rivers decides to leave the Clippers. He could stay in the same digs and be the New Hire for the Lakers. That would be sweet!

 

[Tabascocat]

Matt Kemp used "Black or White" by M. Jackson as his walk-out song last night.

The public pressure is only going to get worse for him and may be forced to sell. But, can he just give the team to his wife, then file for divorce and remain part of the organization somehow?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Matt Kemp used "Black or White" by M. Jackson as his walk-out song last night.

The public pressure is only going to get worse for him and may be forced to sell. But, can he just give the team to his wife, then file for divorce and remain part of the organization somehow?

At this point in his life, I don't really see the compelling reason to stay involved. I mean, it sounds to me like he's got enough stuff going on in his life. I guess you gotta have enough money to think that way before you can actually understand the thought process to begin with. IDK.

 

[DFWJC]

Any Google search--even before this garbage--would reveal that this old dude is way out there regarding race.
In fact, this is nothing compared to some of the stuff he's said and done. He's been sued multiple times.

But he is the longest tenured owner in the NBA.
When he was allowed to buy a team 30+ years ago! none of the current owners had a say and there was no record of his stupidity.

This is how long he's been there; he bought the franchise for 18 million dollars! There are houses in Highland Park Texas that have sold for that.

 

[Rockport]

He's a blatant racist that should be removed as owner of the Clippers. Anything less, would be reprehensible. He can move to Nevada and hang with that Clive Bundy dude. They have lots in common.