“You can’t force someone to sell property in America. I’m a lawyer. That’s my opinion.”
That is the latest bombshell quote from Donald Sterling, made in a recording published by the gossip site RadarOnline.
The quote is part of a 2 1/2 minute recording, apparently of a phone call, that RadarOnline says has been authenticated as Sterling’s voice. It is the first indication that Sterling will refuse to back down in his fight with the NBA office over his ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers, and it comes the same day as the Los Angeles Times published a report saying Rochelle Sterling, Donald’s wife, might want to take over ownership of the team.
From RadarOnline: “Alternately defiant and heartbroken, Sterling bares his true nature like never before in the shocking tapes, unapologetically insisting he is “not a racist” and will not back down from his position as Clippers owner — despite the public outcry over his vile comments. “You think I’m a racist?” Sterling angrily asks a long-time friend in the recorded phone conversation. “You think I have anything in the world but love for everybody? You don’t think that! You know I’m not a racist!”
It is unclear from the report exactly who Sterling is speaking with. But the quote about forcing someone to sell property came in response to the other man on the recording saying that Sean (“Diddy”) Combs and Oprah Winfrey were among the most serious potential ownership groups.
The NBA Advisory & Finance Committee yesterday spoke via conference call and addressed the process and timing regarding the termination of Donald Sterling’s ownership of the Clippers. The committee plans to meet again next week. The committee also reviewed the status of the search for a new Clippers CEO after team President Andy Roeser on Tuesday took a forced leave of absence.
From the Sports Business Journal: Rochelle Sterling believes that she is “legally entitled to maintain ownership” of the team and will attempt to do so, even as the NBA “pushes to remove her husband from the team he has owned for 33 years,” according to a front-page piece by Rainey, Bresnahan & Fenno of the L.A. TIMES. She said that Donald Sterling’s sanctions “do not apply to ‘me or my family.'” A source said that her position “presents a ‘wild card'” for the NBA as it faces its “biggest crisis in memory.” Her intention to “hold on to the team is a wrinkle apparently not contemplated by NBA officials” when they moved to strip her estranged husband of ownership. Ownership by any of the Sterlings “could mean a continued flight of sponsors and a potential boycott from players and fans.” Clippers broadcaster Ralph Lawler said that Rochelle Sterling’s plan to keep the team “was understandable but that others in the organization were ready to move on.” Lawler: “In the eyes of the players and the coaching staff and the basketball staff, the page has been turned, and I think it would be difficult to turn it back.” The NBA “has sent signals that it is uncomfortable” with Rochelle Sterling’s “continued presence in the organization.” The league “let her know that it would prefer that she not attend playoff games Friday and Sunday at Staples Center.” Analysts said that even if she “is not included in the owners’ vote to force a sale … she might still need the approval of the 29 other owners before she can take over the team.” That bid “could become complicated by the fact that she, like her husband, has been accused of racial bias and other misdeeds in lawsuits related to the family’s expansive real estate holdings”
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Not sure why anyone should be surprised by any of this. This was all predictable.
Although Silver did what he had to, to calm the “lynch mob” mentality by punishing Sterling last week (which helped allow the Clippers to win the 2 subsequent games) he made a couple of mistakes. He absolved wife Shelly of blame and he exclude Donald’s past history.
Instead, the Commissioner based his decision to ban and fine Sterling, solely on an illegally taped private conversation, in which Sterling strongly denied being Racist.
Clearly Donald doesn’t think he is racist. It depends on one’s definition of Racist. Michael Jordan Clearly was a Racist as a teenager, because he admitted (in a biography) to “hating all white people”. There is no evidence that Sterling “HATES” all black people.
The 2nd definition of Racism is the feel Superior to another Race. That would be open to interpretation. There is no doubt he DID make racially insensitive remarks, something which any owner might do in their privacy. As far as Sterling’s past history with Housing discrimination, that was settled, and it doesn’t prove he is Racist – It could have been a business decision to increase the value of his properties. He may have broken the law, which is different from Racism.
I doubt the owners will vote any time soon, because I doubt there would be 23 votes at this time, or at any time soon. This case has to play out. It will be complicated by the fact that he is dying of Cancer (if it spread from his Prostate). He could be dead before he agrees to sell the team. The NBA could take away his ownership rights, but that is different from physically transferring ownership and monies (assuming he doesn’t transfer ownership to Shelly