Audio recording puts Clippers owner in eye of racism storm
Probe under way after owner of Los Angeles franchise is accused of telling girlfriend in taped conversation not to associate with blacks
The NBA is investigating an audio recording posted online of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling allegedly telling his girlfriend not to post photographs of herself with black people and not to bring African-Americans to Clippers games, league officials 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," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said at a news conference at the weekend.
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
The recording was sharply criticised by civil rights leaders, fans and players.
Clippers all-star player Chris Paul called the tape "a very serious issue", and the Miami Heat's LeBron James was quoted as saying there was "no room for Donald Sterling in our league".
It was not immediately clear when and how the conversation was recorded.
Silver said the league would move swiftly to determine the authenticity of the recording and its context. Sterling agreed not to attend his team's play-off game against the Golden State Warriors, Silver said.
The commissioner said a range of sanctions was possible but declined to predict the outcome of the investigation, saying Sterling should be given a chance to present his side.
Clippers president Andy Roeser issued a statement on Saturday saying: "We do not know if it is legitimate … 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. Mr Sterling is emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with, nor does it reflect his views, beliefs or feelings."
The tape appears to be an argument over photos Stiviano posted to the social networking website Instagram.
"Yeah, it bothers me a lot that you want to promo ... broadcast that you're associating with black people. Do you have to?" Sterling responds, according to TMZ.
At another point, Stiviano says he does not want her to bring black people to basketball games, and tells him: "I'm sorry that you're still racist in your heart."
Sterling also is allegedly heard telling her not to post photos of herself with Earvin "Magic" Johnson. "And don't bring him to my games, OK?"
Johnson, an NBA Hall of Famer who led the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships in the 1980s, said in a Twitter post that Sterling's comments are "a black eye for the NBA".
Sterling is "upset and apologises" for the sentiments attributed to him about Johnson, the Clippers' statement said. "He has long considered Magic a friend."
Sterling, who made his fortune in real estate, has faced allegations of discriminatory conduct in the past. In 2009, he paid US$2.7 million to settle a case brought by the US Justice Department which accused him of housing discrimination against blacks and Hispanics.
Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said: "I think the biggest statement we can make as men, not as black men, but as men, is to stick together and show how strong we are as a group."
