Report: Donald Sterling in new alleged recorded conversation: 'I'm not a racist'
Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling allegedly denied being a racist and said that the NBA can't force him to sell them team in a new recording released by Radar Online on Thursday. ABC News confirmed the recording "contains the voice of Sterling."
Sterling was banned for life and fined $2.5 million by the NBA last week for making racist comments that were recorded and released by TMZ. In this new tape, Sterling is speaking with an unnamed friend.
“You think I’m a racist?” Sterling allegedly said. “You think I have anything in the world but love for everybody? You don’t think that! You know I’m not a racist!”
The person on the tape goes on to express his outrage over the idea of being forced to sell the Clippers.
“You can’t force someone to sell property in America!” he said. “I’m a lawyer, that’s my opinion.”
Here are some of the other notable quotes to come from the tape:
- “It breaks my heart that Magic Johnson, a guy that I respect so much, wouldn’t stand up and say, ‘Well let’s get the facts. Let’s get him and talk to him.’ Nobody tried. Nobody!”
- “I mean, how could you think I’m a racist knowing me all these years? How can you be in this business and be a racist? Do you think I tell the coach to get white players? Or to get the best player he can get?”
The full recording can be heard here.