LA Clippers

[ljbab728]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/clipper...235601798.html

This has to be a very difficult issue for the players and coaches involved. I'm sure they are all disgusted by the comments made by the owner but they obviously have other personal issues to consider as well.

[Dennis Heaton]

I posted on the Clippers FB..."Blake, it's time to come back to Oklahoma!" I can't even begin to imagine what it is gonna be like at the next game. I just hope it goes well for the players.

[zookeeper]

Hmmm....not so fast. Los Angeles Clippers Question Recording of Sterling's Comments - NBC News

"TMZ reported the woman on the tape was Sterling’s girlfriend, but in the statement released by the Clippers, the president claimed she was an individual the Sterling family had sued. We do know that the woman on the tape -- who we believe released it to TMZ -- is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by the Sterling family alleging that she embezzled more than $1.8 million, who told Mr. Sterling that she would ‘get even,’” the Clippers’ statement read."

[ljbab728]

Anything is possible but this certainly isn't the first time he's been accused of this so I will have to be convinced he didn't say it.

Donald Sterling Has Been A Racist For A Long Time | Etan Thomas

Let's not forget the discrimination lawsuit brought in 2003 against the real-estate mogul by 19 tenants and the Housing Rights Center.

Sterling was sued by the Department of Justice for housing discrimination. Allegedly, not only did he refuse to rent to non-Korean prospective tenants, but simply lied about the availability of apartment units and administered multiple preventative tactics in order to keep Blacks and Latinos from obtaining housing in his Los Angeles buildings.

In addition to lying to Black people about the availability of his Beverly Hills housing units, Sterling repeatedly professed a preference for Korean tenants. Although he settled to the tune of 2.7 million to avoid a lawsuit, he admitted no wrongdoing on his part. Guess he feels discrimination was well within his rights.
According to testimony given by property manager Summer Davenport in the discrimination lawsuit brought against Sterling in 2003:

Cultivating his image, Davenport said, meant no Blacks, no Mexican-Americans, no children (whom Sterling called "brats") and no government-housing-subsidy recipients as tenants. So according to the testimony of tenants, Sterling employees made life difficult for residents in some of his new buildings. They refused rent checks, then accused renters of nonpayment. They refused to do repairs for black tenants and harassed them with surprise inspections, threatening residents with eviction for alleged violations of building rules.
"When Sterling first bought the Ardmore, he remarked on its odor to Davenport. "That's because of all the blacks in this building, they smell, they're not clean," he said, according to Davenport's testimony. "And it's because of all of the Mexicans that just sit around and smoke and drink all day." He added: "So we have to get them out of here."

I'd say the onus is on him to prove something.

[Dennis Heaton]

Hmmm....not so fast. "TMZ reported the woman on the tape was Sterling’s girlfriend, but in the statement released by the Clippers, the president claimed she was an individual the Sterling family had sued. We do know that the woman on the tape -- who we believe released it to TMZ -- is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by the Sterling family alleging that she embezzled more than $1.8 million, who told Mr. Sterling that she would ‘get even,’” the Clippers’ statement read."

zookeeper...but, did he or did he not make "those" statements?

[Easy180]

I'd say she definitely got even

[Garin]

Is their video proof or just the voice recording? anything can be dubbed over these days.

[BBatesokc]

I don't have any doubt the recording is authentic. That said, to me its just another example of a public hungry to be offended over everything and anything.

The only thing that really matters to me is the fact this is a recording from a PRIVATE two party conversation during an emotional argument. If he made these comments publicly or to a reporter or in a memoir that would be one thing.

We all say things privately that others might or certainly would find offensive.

[Garin]

Hopefully she's not messing around with Majic , is he still aids infected??

[Dennis Heaton]

Obama responds to Clipper's owner Don Sterling's alleged racism - CNN.com

[Pete]

Long before this, Sterling has been absolutely reviled which is why so many are quick to pick this up and run with it.

And even though the conversation was supposed to be private, how many times has he said similar things and NOT been recorded? You can bet a good many.

Besides everyone hating him (and that's been the case in L.A. for a long time for too many reasons to list here) he also owns an NBA franchise and employs predominantly black athletes and the LA Clippers fanbase is extremely diverse.


All this adds up to everyone in the media and beyond happy to get out their torches and pitchforks.

[Laramie]

High profile multimillionaire-billionaire people like Paula Deen and Donald Sterling are set in their ways. Why waste time? Leave these personalities alone, they're not going to change. These people are often a target for being set up; a position they put themselves in because of their association.

Paula Deen (top) and V. Stiviano, girlfriend and Donald Sterling (bottom).

We've seen these strange California relationships before especially as husband & wife bring in house guests to add 'so called' spice to their lives--it's not the norm for a happy marriage. Do we remember O.J. Simpson, Nicole Brown Simpson, Ronald Lyle Goldman & Kato Kaelin (house guest)? It's an alternative life style for some of the rich and famous.


"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[BlackmoreRulz]

Obama responds to Clipper's owner Don Sterling's alleged racism - CNN.com

I have a hard time with this:

"We also suggest that African Americans and Latinos should honor his (Sterling's) request and not attend the games," Alice Huffman, the President of the NAACP California State Conference said in a statement released Saturday.

Aren't they doing the same thing as the accused by just calling out for AA's & latino's instead of calling for all races?

[Dennis Heaton]

Aren't they doing the same thing as the accused by just calling out for AA's & latino's instead of calling for all races?

That's a very good question. I believe Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said it best. He said, "Palestinians reject racism and ethnic discrimination, and he called on the world to fight it."

[adaniel]

Long before this, Sterling has been absolutely reviled which is why so many are quick to pick this up and run with it.

And even though the conversation was supposed to be private, how many times has he said similar things and NOT been recorded? You can bet a good many.

Besides everyone hating him (and that's been the case in L.A. for a long time for too many reasons to list here) he also owns an NBA franchise and employs predominantly black athletes and the LA Clippers fanbase is extremely diverse.


All this adds up to everyone in the media and beyond happy to get out their torches and pitchforks.

On that note, here is a nice list of things this guy has said/done: Your Complete Quotable Guide To Decades Of Donald Sterling's Racism

So this runs a bit deeper than some people just getting offended. His views are so cartoonish and over the top that it was only a matter of time before something like this came out. Its almost comical that someone with such views would own of all things an NBA franchise, given the demographic makeup of the players and the fanbase.

What I am NOT understanding is that "those people" aren't good enough to come to his games, but they are good enough to play on his team, coach his team, and are good enough for him to sleep with (his GF is 50/50 black/latino). If you are going to be a racist ahole, at least be consistent with it.

[Dennis Heaton]

adaniel...Let's not forget, when ya got 2 Billion Dollars, ya can get'cha a lot of GF's. His GF ain't no dummy!

[BBatesokc]

adaniel...Let's not forget, when ya got 2 Billion Dollars, ya can get'cha a lot of GF's. His GF ain't no dummy!

Yeah, because she obviously couldn't find an attractive man her own age. She has issues that run as deep and dark as him I'm betting.

[Pete]

She made that recording and released it because she is being sued by Sterling's wife (he is married but separated) to return millions in gifts, including: a Ferrari, TWO Bentleys, a Land Rover, a $1.8 million condo in Beverly Hills and $240K for property upkeep. And who knows what all else.

Since there is still a marriage, those gifts were bought with communal assets without the wife's authorization.

So, the wife threatened to sue, Sterling asked the girlfriend to return everything, she said no, gets hit with a lawsuit, vows to get even, records argument then leaks to TMZ.


All this clearly demonstrates the character of those involved.

[Garin]

He dates a different race, maybe he just doesn't want HER to flaunt her extra activities in front of the public eye. Just because you say he's a witch, doesn't mean you should burn him at the stake.... Have you people not learned anything from the past?

[Laramie]

She made that recording and released it because she is being sued by Sterling's wife (he is married but separated) to return millions in gifts, including: a Ferrari, TWO Bentleys, a Land Rover, a $1.8 million condo in Beverly Hills and $240K for property upkeep. And who knows what all else.

Since there is still a marriage, those gifts were bought with communal assets without the wife's authorization.

So, the wife threatened to sue, Sterling asked the girlfriend to return everything, she said no, gets hit with a lawsuit, vows to get even, records argument then leaks to TMZ.


All this clearly demonstrates the character of those involved.

How was she able to bilk $1.8 million from Donald Sterling? It doesn't take a fortune teller to see what she sees in Donald Sterling?

Answer: Donald's dollars & Sterling silver...

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[Pete]

It was way more that $1.8 million... Probably at least $3-4 million.

[Rover]

He dates a different race, maybe he just doesn't want HER to flaunt her extra activities in front of the public eye. Just because you say he's a witch, doesn't mean you should burn him at the stake.... Have you people not learned anything from the past?

We have learned he is a despicable man who has an ability to make money and hire lots of high priced lawyers.
Sounds like you are sticking up for his racism. You are defending him?

[Pete]

You can hear the extended version of their conversation here:

Exclusive: The Extended Donald Sterling Tape

[Garin]

We have learned he is a despicable man who has an ability to make money and hire lots of high priced lawyers.
Sounds like you are sticking up for his racism. You are defending him?

I stick up for people to have their own opinions, like him or not I could give two shiz for the guy. But it has to be a two way street. People are being tried in the court of opinion ,before all the facts are presented. For crying out loud were talking about a bunch of minority guys that throw a ball through a hoop for a living, entertaining the masses , while their Masters ( owners) make the majority of the take.... Is is not modern day slavery?

[Pete]

They have him on tape making outrageously racist comments. He has not even tried to deny it is him speaking. Really not much for a court to evaluate.

The only issue is if these types of racist comments and attitudes are acceptable from the owner of an NBA team. A sport where the majority of the players are black and where the fanbase is very diverse.

He's certainly entitled to his opinions but he also has to accept the consequences, which have already started to come.

Owning a pro sports franchise is not a right; it's subject to abiding by league rules and decisions in addition to any civil or criminal laws.