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.