He’s had one hell of a weekend after TMZ released audio of him saying despicably racist remarks in regards to black people — probably not the smartest move considering most of the NBA, including his own players, are black.
Now his team, the league, even the President, are reacting to the tape, most calling for Sterling’s immediate removal.
The incident in question is a nine minute recording — one in which Sterling obviously was not aware of — in which he is arguing with his 38-year-old mistress, Vanessa Stiviano, over a photo she took with Magic Johnson and posted on Instagram.
First it must be noted that it’s been widely known within Sterling’s inter-circle he’s been quite the bigot for a long time. It’s also widely believed the recently retired NBA Commissioner, David Stern, saw Sterling has a huge liability, but simply hoped the 80-year-old Clippers owner would die before doing something to egregiously embarrass the league.
Because of the inaction, this dumpster fire is now inherited by new NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver. Will the NBA do anything? Can they do anything? How do you go about removing an owner?
Regardless of what happens, the response has been emphatic.
Snoop Dogg (NSFW)
CarMax and Virgin Air
…The first Clippers sponsors to pull out. CarMax said, “CarMax finds the statements attributed to the Clippers’ owner completely unacceptable.”
It is expected that State Farm is next.
Village People lead singer bans Sterling’s Clippers from playing “YMCA” at games.
No YMCA at Staples Center this playoff season, folks. After all, it’s hard to dance and have a good time when you know your ticket money went to a man like Sterling.
LeBron James
“If the reports are true, it’s unacceptable. It’s unacceptable in our league. It doesn’t matter if you’re white, black, Hispanic, whatever, all across the races. It’s unacceptable and as a commissioner in our league, they have to make a stand, and they have to be very aggressive with it. I don’t know what it’s going to be, but you just can’t have that in our league.
The Blazers and Rockets both joined the Clippers over the weekend in wearing black socks as a silent protest against Sterling.
Magic Johnson
.@cjbycookie and I will never go to a Clippers game again as long as Donald Sterling is the owner.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 26, 2014
NAACP
#DonaldSterling will not be receiving a lifetime achievement award from the LA Branch of the NAACP. #MTP
— NAACP (@NAACP) April 27, 2014
That’s right, Sterling was supposed to receive his second Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAACP sometime soon. That won’t be happening any longer.
President Obama
“I don’t think I have to interpret those statements for you, they kind of speak for themselves. When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don’t really have to do anything. You just let them talk… I suspect that the NBA is going to be deeply concerned in resolving this.”
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan:”In a league where the majority of players are African-American, we cannot & must not tolerate discrimination at any level”
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) April 27, 2014
Michael Jordan: “I am appalled that this type of ignorance still exists within our country and at the highest levels of our sport.”
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) April 27, 2014
Michael Jordan: “As a former player, I’m completely outraged. There is no room in the NBA – or anywhere else – for the kind of racism …”
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) April 27, 2014
The Clippers wore their warmups jerseys during Sunday’s pre-game inside out, hiding the Clippers logo as another silent protest.
Silver is expected to hold a press conference addressing the situation by Tuesday. He said over the weekend that the league would act swiftly.
Regardless whether or not the NBA has any legal authority to remove Sterling, it’s only a matter of time before the Clippers owner is forced to sell; he is already losing sponsors; next will be fans, partners and any player in the NBA who has a brain.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports. @JHelmuth – “Like” on Facebook.
Photo Credit: Getty
