Now it is crystal clear exactly where the Clippers owner stands. Donald Sterling, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers has had people wondering for years. His character was always in question the way he would hire models to flank him for parties and parade around the locker room before games pointing to players getting dressed as if they were his show ponies. Then came the remarks this week. However, a long time Clippers employee asked, “have you ever typed his name into Google? The first word that pops up next to his name is ‘racist.’ That didn’t happen this week. It’s been the first word that pops up after his name for years.” The fact that Sterling is a known racist has been public knowledge for sometime because he had to pay a record high $2.725 million in November of 2009 in order to settle a dispute that he discriminated against Black and Hispanic families, including children, in apartment buildings that he owns in the Los Angeles area.
Despite this disappointing past Donald Sterling was able to stay out of trouble for a few years by excusing himself from the limelight. He went without the parties and stopped parading through the locker room from about 2010 until last Friday. The release of his remarks on Friday was a shock because many had forgotten the ugly underbelly of the owner because he had laid low for so many years. On Friday, TMZ released audio of Sterling making some very racist remarks to his girlfriend, Stiviano. This is even more complicated because Sterling is married. His wife, Rochelle is always at the games by his side, however many knew about Stiviano, who also frequented the Clippers games. The TMZ audio confirms what many had heard about Sterling through anecdotes and first-hand experience over many years. In addition to putting up with his behavior, now players have to respond to the many fans who are livid about Sterling’s behavior. Many of the players have stated that they are just as outraged and have to defend staying with the team by saying they are not playing for Sterling.
from Lee Krahenbuhl’s History and Sports Page http://ift.tt/1pHtF0g
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