President Obama took time out of his busy Asia excursion to comment on the tidal wave of controversy surrounding Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling.
In a phone conversation that was secretly recorded by Sterling’s girlfriend, V. Stiviano, Sterling reprimanded her for taking photos with NBA legend Magic Johnson.
“Don’t put [Magic] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games,” Sterling allegedly said in the audio.
In a strongly worded statement, Obama called Sterling’s comments — which were made in private — “racist” and “incredibly offensive”.
“I don’t think I have to interpret those statements for you. They kind of speak for themselves,” said Obama who is a big fan of NBA basketball.
“When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don’t really have to do anything, you just let them talk….I suspect the NBA is going to be deeply concerned in resolving this,” said Obama.
In a second audio published on Deadspin.com, Stiviano asked Sterling if he knows black people play for him on his Clippers team.
“You just, do I know? I support them and give them food, and clothes, and cars, and houses. Who gives it to them? Does someone else give it to them? Do I know that I have—Who makes the game? Do I make the game, or do they make the game? Is there 30 owners, that created the league?”
Stiviano could face criminal charges if the phone calls were recorded in California. California is one of 12 states that require all parties to know a phone call is being recorded.
OBAMA CALLS STERLING’S COMMENTS “INCREDIBLY OFFENSIVE”
DONALD STERLING AUDIO
