Disturbing audio, released yesterday by TMZ, was apparently not the entirety of real estate mogul Donald Sterling's racist rant. Today Deadspin released five additional minutes of even more vile tape, allegedly of the Los Angeles Clippers owner. Authorities have yet to confirm either of the tapes' authenticity, however both the NBA and Clippers franchise have condemned the tapes and stated that there will be an investigation.
The first tape was apparently of Sterling and woman friend, V. Stiviano, arguing over an Instagram photo she posted of herself and Magic Johnson. Sterling asked her to remove the photo because he didn't like her publicly being seen with African-Americans. He also requested that she not bring Johnson to, what he called, "my games."
The final five minutes turned even uglier with ramblings about race relations in Israel, discussion of a photo she posted with Dodgers player Matt Kemp and even a strange exchange about the Holocaust.
The voice, allegedly of Sterling, also reiterated feelings about Stiviano bringing African-Americans to games. "Well then, if you don't feel — don't come to my games. Don't bring black people, and don't come," says Stirling.
Stiviano replies by asking, "Do you know that you have a whole team that's black, that plays for you?" To which Sterling says:
"You just, do I know? I support them and give them food, and clothes, and cars, and houses. Who gives it to them? Does someone else give it to them? Do I know that I have—Who makes the game? Do I make the game, or do they make the game? Is there 30 owners, that created the league?"
Though the tapes have not been officially confirmed, the Los Angeles Clippers owner has a long record of racism, which include several lawsuits where he was sued for racially discriminating against tenants in buildings he owns in Los Angeles.
NBA players past and present -- including Clippers star Chris Paul, Miami Heat's LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, Clippers coach Doc Rivers and basketball legends Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan -- have publicly condemned the racist comments. It is unclear whether more players, coaches and owners will speak out against these terrible comments.
President Obama also weighed in on the audio, calling them "incredibly offensive racist statements." Of the NBA the president said, "And, I suspect that the NBA is going to be deeply concerned in resolving this." NBA commissioner Adam Silver called the comments "disturbing," but thus far the NBA has taken no measures against Sterling.
“All members of the NBA family should be afforded due process and a fair opportunity to present their side of any controversy, which is why I’m not yet prepared to discuss any potential sanctions against Donald Sterling,” Silver stated, according to the Associated Press. “We will, however, move extraordinarily quickly in our investigation.”
h/t Deadspin, Associated Press
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