Real Racism: Clippers Owner Bids GF to Avoid Blacks in Public

jbg · April 28, 2014

The LA Clippers are one of Los Angeles' pro basketball teams. Their own, Donald Sterling asks one of his former girlfriends to avoid being seen in public with black people. One report said this even extended to Magic Johnson.

People complain and whine about racism all the time. Racism is here, in its old-fashioned, vile, unadorned form. Link to article, excerpts below:

MEMPHIS — The N.B.A. has promised a swift investigation into remarks attributed to the Los Angeles Clippers’ owner, Donald Sterling, after the release Friday night of an audio recording on the gossip website TMZ.com in which a person TMZ identified as Mr. Sterling admonished a female friend to avoid being seen in public with black people.

****************

n the 9-minute 27-second audio recording, a person identified by TMZ as Mr. Sterling can be heard chiding a former girlfriend, identified by the website as V. Stiviano, saying he was angry that she had posted a picture on her Instagram account of herself and Mr. Johnson.

“It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people,” Mr. Sterling is alleged to have said. Later in the recording, referring to her Instagram postings, the person says that “you don’t have to have yourself with, walking with black people.”

The person identified as Mr. Sterling also says: “Don’t put him on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games. Yeah, it bothers me a lot that you want to promo, broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?”

**********

Bryan · April 28, 2014

"associating with black people"?!?

I know he's 80, but someone might want to let him know that by being an owner of an NBA team, he's "associating" with black people. There's not a lot of white guys on the Clippers' roster.

Michael Hardner · April 28, 2014

The facts on this guy from the wiki page point to someone of low moral character.

jbg · April 28, 2014

"associating with black people"?!?

I know he's 80, but someone might want to let him know that by being an owner of an NBA team, he's "associating" with black people. There's not a lot of white guys on the Clippers' roster.

The whole episode and his conduct are utterly senseless. I read more in today's newspaper about his racism in other endeavors. I will post more later. I'm rushing for a train.

kimmy · April 28, 2014

"associating with black people"?!?

I know he's 80, but someone might want to let him know that by being an owner of an NBA team, he's "associating" with black people. There's not a lot of white guys on the Clippers' roster.

The players? I'm sure he views them as his "field negroes."

I heard that Magic Johnson now wants to buy the team. I also heard thet the players wore their shirts inside out at practice in a (pretty lame) protest.

Pretty clearly what the guy said reflects jaw-dropping racism... but what can the players do? What can the league do? I imagine the league's agreement with its owners allows some sort of fines for conduct that is detrimental to the league's reputation, so I suspect they have that option at least.

I recall that once upon a time there was a major league baseball team who was owned by some crazy old lady who hated Jews. How did they deal with her?

-k

Edited April 28, 2014 by kimmy

Boges · April 28, 2014

I think Marge Schott died still being the owner of the Reds. Don't really want to Google her though.

I don't really know how the NBA should handle this. Unless they want to buy Sterling out, I'm not sure what they can do. They can suspend him for a finite period or fine him. But he's an owner of one of their franchises. You'd think if they could force a buyout then David Stern would have done that with Mark Cuban long ago. Ownership is a club.

I suppose there can be mass boycotts of everything Clipper related but that just hurts the league more.

I also don't believe his racism and glaring character flaws where not already apparent to those who dealt with him before now, but money talks right?

Edited April 28, 2014 by Boges

Shady · April 28, 2014

The best part of this is that the NAACP was going to give him an award this week, despite his past history! :lol:

Boges · April 28, 2014

The best part of this is that the NAACP was going to give him an award this week, despite his past history!

Apparently he had already won an award from the NAACP in 2009.

guyser · April 28, 2014

NOw hes fighting the release of 100 hrs of conversations....Im betting hes pooping the bed about now.

Or maybe a heart attack.

Rich, white .....and a dumb ass.

Wilber · April 28, 2014

In fairness, I think it first has to be established it is him in the recording and they haven't been doctored. Shouldn't be too difficult you would think.

guyser · April 28, 2014

In fairness, I think it first has to be established it is him in the recording and they haven't been doctored. Shouldn't be too difficult you would think.

While true...there appears to be no one inside of NBA circles who thinks it isnt him.

\

He apparently is well known for this stuff.

Id be a wee bit upset that the Clippers will suffer soon , no one wants to play for him so he may as well sell.

Boges · April 28, 2014

Id be a wee bit upset that the Clippers will suffer soon , no one wants to play for him so he may as well sell.

1 of 30 teams in the top Basketball league in the world. Unless you're Chris Paul or Blake Griffin you can't just play for whatever team you want. And there are also contracts to consider.

guyser · April 28, 2014

1 of 30 teams in the top Basketball league in the world. Unless you're Chris Paul or Blake Griffin you can't just play for whatever team you want. And there are also contracts to consider.

Sure but what if Griffin , as his contract comes due says...."Naw, gonna play elsewhere?'

Or any number of other players who may say " Ya know I wouldnt mind playing there but that owner is a dickhead so no, find me someone esle"

Wilber · April 28, 2014

1 of 30 teams in the top Basketball league in the world. Unless you're Chris Paul or Blake Griffin you can't just play for whatever team you want. And there are also contracts to consider.

They can play badly and probably get away with it because people will think it is because of Sterling.

guyser · April 28, 2014

Boges, you know its been a bit of a tough road for the Raps in getting free agents to come here....due to the border/foreign nation stuff (NBA players aint well travelled)

Now tell them to go sign with an owner who openly despises them?

I dunno man

Boges · April 28, 2014

Boges, you know its been a bit of a tough road for the Raps in getting free agents to come here....due to the border/foreign nation stuff (NBA players aint well travelled)

Now tell them to go sign with an owner who openly despises them?

I dunno man

I'm just saying, it's easy for us to say that players shouldn't play for the team. But in reality it's a lot harder to take some moral stand when most of these players have already won the lottery by even landing on an NBA roster.

I think what they did last night by turning their shirts inside out was a strong symbolic gesture.

Also sponsors have, predictably, started to pull their support for the team.

Ultimately the players, coach or Adam Silver can't do much. The other 29 owners are the ones that have to take a stand against him.

Edited April 28, 2014 by Boges

Shady · April 29, 2014

I think taking away his team is a bit harsh. Just let the market play out. He'll lose advertising sponsors, he'll lose players, and eventually he'll leave. Bill Maher had a good take on this whole thing. "It's still legal to be an asshole in America."

Bryan · April 29, 2014

The bizarre part to me is people buying tickets to go to the games to show their protest? As long as he gets your money, that's all he cares about. Come to cheer, come to boo, come to wear your clothes inside-out, it's all good. Just keep buying those tickets!

Big Guy · April 29, 2014

What if that telephone conversation went this way;

“It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with Asians,” Mr. Sterling is alleged to have said. Later in the recording, referring to her Instagram postings, the person says that “you don’t have to have yourself with, walking with Asians.”

The person identified as Mr. Sterling also says: “Don’t put him on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games. Yeah, it bothers me a lot that you want to promo, broadcast that you’re associating with Asians. Do you have to?”

How would the media coverage have differed?

jbg · April 29, 2014

I think taking away his team is a bit harsh. Just let the market play out. He'll lose advertising sponsors, he'll lose players, and eventually he'll leave. Bill Maher had a good take on this whole thing. "It's still legal to be an asshole in America."

But being an asshole has consequences. Especially around excrement-evacuation time or during enemas.

What if that telephone conversation went this way;

“It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with Asians,” Mr. Sterling is alleged to have said. Later in the recording, referring to her Instagram postings, the person says that “you don’t have to have yourself with, walking with Asians.”

The person identified as Mr. Sterling also says: “Don’t put him on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games. Yeah, it bothers me a lot that you want to promo, broadcast that you’re associating with Asians. Do you have to?”

How would the media coverage have differed?

It shouldn't make a difference. His conduct has been deplorable.

And I promised earlier to tell more about him. He was sued for emptying minorities from buildings he owned. He is apparently a despicable character.]

Additionally, his ~~real~~ previous name was "Tokowitz." I am ashamed to have him as a fellow Jew.

Edited April 29, 2014 by jbg

BubberMiley · April 29, 2014

I have a racist aunt, but we just ignore her. That seems to work.

WestCoastRunner · April 29, 2014

I have a racist aunt, but we just ignore her. That seems to work.

hard to ignore someone who is a billionaire and has control of thousands of rental occupants at his mercy.

Michael Hardner · April 29, 2014

How would the media coverage have differed?

I'm sure it would have been different, but not significantly so. What are you trying to say here ?

Army Guy · April 29, 2014

Nothing is going to change, it will be in the media for a short period, but what is going to happen, is the league going to take his team away, No.....Are is players going to leave, NO i mean they already shown that they like their money to much....wearing shirts inside out.....thats scary , a huge statement " NOT" ....So yes the players got their feelings hurt, but they like their contracts to much to make change....

Now in my opinion the only way to get this pricks attention is refuse to play, hit him in the pocket book....when he is not making money he'll sell thats what rich guys do.....players go on strike all the time, why can't a team just say until their is change we won't play....Get the fans involved, tell them to stay away, as a show of support....The guy sits front row seating, a few missed passes that happen to land in his face will wake him up.....

Is change needed yes it is, is it going to happen i doubt it very much, Money talks, the rest is bullshit...unless your want to stick up for your beliefs.