Clippers Owner in Deep over Alleged Racist Remarks
NBA players are hoping the league will take decisive action against Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for racist remarks he allegedly made in a phone call with his former girlfriend.
In a recording posted Saturday by TMZ, Sterling told his ex-girlfriend he didn't want her to bring black people to Clippers' games.
President Barack Obama weighed in on the controversy, calling Sterling's comments "ignorant."
"When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don't really have to do anything, you just let them talk. That's what happened here," he said in a press conference in Malaysia.
The news also drew strong responses from NBA players and former superstars, like Magic Johnson.
"He's got to give up the team if he doesn't like African Americans and you're in a league that is over 75 percent African Americans," Johnson said.
"When you've got the president of the United States saying that this is bad, you've got fans around the country -- different races of people -- saying it's bad, it is time for him to exit," he continued.
USA Today reports the NBA's constitution and bylaws don't allow the league to simply take away the team, but Sterling may face suspension and up to $1 million in fines.
The decision could come before the Clippers' next playoff game Tuesday night.
