June 5, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

NBA Probes into Clippers’ Owner Donald Sterling

Sterling
Clippers head coach Doc Rivers responds to the media in San Francisco after a TMZ report alleged team owner Donald Sterling made racially disparaging comments. (Image courtesy Los Angeles Clippers)

National Basketball Association (NBA) officials began an investigation into incendiary comments attributed to Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, it was announced April 25.

In an audio released by the entertainment news website TMZ.com, a man identified by TMZ and other sources as Sterling reportedly told his girlfriend that he did not want the woman to bring black men to Clippers games, or socialize with them publicly.

“You can sleep with them, you can bring them in, you can do whatever you want,” a male voice said. “The little I ask is that you not promote it … and not bring them to my games.”

The man on the audio also criticized the woman for posting a photograph of her and former Lakers star Earvin “Magic” Johnson on the website Instagram.

“Don’t put him on Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me … and don’t bring him to any more games, OK?” he said.

Johnson responded to the comments on Twitter.

“LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s comments about African Americans are a black eye for the NBA,” Johnson said.

Clipper President Andy Roeser issued a statement offering a possibility the voice on the audio was not Sterling’s.

“We have heard the tape on TMZ,” Roeser said. “We do not know if it is legitimate or it has been altered. “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.’

“Mr. Sterling is emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with, nor does it reflect, his views, beliefs or feelings,” Roeser continued. “It is the antithesis of who he is what he believes and how he has lived his life. He feels terrible that such sentiments are being attributed to him and apologizes to anyone who might have been hurt by them.

“He is also upset and apologizes for sentiments attributed to him about Earvin Johnson,” Roeser added. “He has long considered Magic a friend and has only the utmost respect and admiration for him — both in terms of who he is and what he has achieved. We are investigating this matter.”

Clipper coach Doc Rivers told a media throng in San Francisco on Saturday – where the team was preparing for first-round Game 4 NBA playoff contest the Golden State Warriors in Oakland on April 26 – that the team to a person was angered by the developments.

“It upsets all of us,” Rivers said. “There’s not one guy on the team who’s happy with this situation,” but insisted that he and Clipper players have cast the controversy aside in order to focus on Sunday’s game and on the quest to win the franchise’s first NBA championship.

Clippers point guard Chris Paul, president of the NBA players union, called the report “a very serious issue that we will address aggressively.”

But for now, Paul said, “As players, we owe it to our teams and our fans to keep out focus on the game, the playoffs, and the drive to the (NBA) Finals.”

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said at an April 25 afternoon news conference in Memphis, Tenn., that an investigation into the matter would move quickly, with one of the primary intents to be determining if the voice on the audio is Sterling’s.

The investigation will be completed in the next few days, possibly before the Clippers Tuesday playoff game against Golden State at Staples Center – which Sterling has agreed not to attend, Silver said.

“The audio recording posted by TMZ is truly offensive and disturbing and we intend to get to the bottom of it as quickly as possible,” Silver said. “I personally think the situation is most unfair to the Clippers players and coaches who have to deal with this distraction in the middle of their own highly competitive playoff series.”

Silver said rumors of a potential boycott of Sunday’s game by Clippers players were unfounded.

He also stressed the importance of not rushing to judgment of Sterling, saying he deserves his day in court.

“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 said. “We will, however, move extraordinarily quickly in our investigation.”

Last month, Sterling’s wife, Rochelle filed suit against a female Clippers employee identified as V. Stiviano, claiming she had an affair with her husband and had schemed to embezzle $1.8 million from Sterling.

TMZ reported that Stiviano, described as a “personal assistant” to Sterling in the suit, recorded the alleged audio of Sterling.

No one answered calls to the Clipper offices in Playa Del Rey, or at Sterling’s offices in Beverly Hills today.

Sterling is no stranger to court proceedings.

In 2009, he paid a $2.73 million settlement to the Justice Department in a rental discrimination suit for which he not required to admit wrongdoing.

About four years earlier, he paid an undisclosed amount of money in a suit alleging he tried to force non-Koreans out of Koreatown apartments he owned.

Related Posts

(Video) Some of the Damage Caused By Vandals at Malibu High School Overnight

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

40 to 50 people, who are suspected to be students or recent alumni, used eggs, flour, and markers to deface...

Biggest Night of the Year: Don’t Miss GMCLA’s ‘Dancing Queens’

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Culminating its 46th season, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will grace the crowd with Dancing Queens, celebrating iconic...

Driver Arrested for Suspected DUI After Rollover Crash in West Los Angeles

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

One Person Hospitalized, Light Pole Smashed After Late-Night Collision One driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI, and another person...

Pluto TV and Oscar-Winning Director Sean Baker Team Up to Host Free Weekend Screenings

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Popcorn Challenge Interactive Event Set for Westfield Century City Mall  The historic Gardena Cinema, one of the last single-screen, family-operated...

Former ‘Real Housewives’ Husband Sentenced to Over 7 Years for $15 Million Client Fraud 

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Federal Judge Rejects Plea for Medical Placement, Orders Restitution and Prison Time Disgraced former attorney Tom Girardi was sentenced Tuesday...

Malibu High Targeted in Overnight Vandalism Spree; Investigation Underway

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Destruction on Campus Prompts Sheriff’s Probe; Students May Face Charges Vandals caused extensive damage to the school property of Malibu...

A Season of Gratitude: After One Year in Business, Urban Jungle Continues Making its Mark

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Over the last year, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, has continued its mission to cultivate a place...

The soul’s greatest hits

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

From ‘Ave Maria’ to ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ and ‘Ode to Joy,” a Santa Monica concert raising funds to help fire victims...

LAPD Increases Security at Jewish Sites Following Colorado Flamethrower Attack

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Officials Ramp Up Patrols and Plan Emergency Response as Shavuot Concludes. Security outside Jewish institutions in Los Angeles has been...

The Peabody Awards Celebrate Bold Storytelling and Social Impact at Beverly Hills Gala

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Honorees Including Baby Reindeer, Shōgun, and The Only Doctor at In-Person Ceremony The Peabody Awards held their awards ceremony Sunday...

Chamber Music Palisades Presents an Afternoon of Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, and More

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Brentwood Hosts Free Classical Concert with LA Philharmonic Greats Chamber Music Palisades will present a free community concert on Saturday,...

Massive Fire Engulfs Auto Shop, Shuts Down 10 Freeway Eastbound Lanes

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Explosions, Thick Smoke, and Downed Power Lines Disrupt Traffic in Palms A fast-moving fire broke out Sunday behind a commercial...

Culver City to Frame Iconic Tree with Landmark Sculpture by Charles Gaines

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Acclaimed Conceptual Artist’s Public Artwork Enters Final Phase Culver City is moving forward with the final phase of an ambitious...

Alpine Floor & Home: A Legacy of Quality Since 1968

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Founded in 1968 with a single location, Alpine Floor & Home began as a humble family business with a clear...

Actress Cameron Diaz Slashes Price on Beverly Crest Estate to $16.5 Million

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Modern Farmhouse in Beverly Crest Returns to Market with Lower Price Tag Cameron Diaz has reduced the asking price of...