“He will be indefinitely suspended unless he agrees to step down and sell the team”

Apr 28, 2014 16:25 GMT  ·  By
Donald Sterling and his estranged wife, who is now suing his mistress for the lavish gifts she’s been receiving from Sterling
   Donald Sterling and his estranged wife, who is now suing his mistress for the lavish gifts she’s been receiving from Sterling

Donald Sterling, the 80-year-old owner of the LA Clippers, will probably have to step down from the position after pressure from the NBA to sell the team because of the racist scandal he got himself involved in.

Over the weekend, a recording made on April 9, between Sterling and his current girlfriend, V. Stiviano, emerged online. She denies having leaked it, but her attorneys have already said that it’s authentic. The longer version of the recording has Sterling making even more racist comments, as he’s instructing her not to “broadcast” her association with minorities on social media anymore.

Radar Online reports that the NBA is now conducting an investigation to determine whether the leaked recording is genuine and, if is, they’re determined to force him to step down by having him sell the team.

An NBA official has already deemed the recording “disturbing and offensive” and, since this isn’t the first time that Sterling is caught up in a scandal with racist connotations, the league is not willing to take any more of it.

“Donald’s racist views were hardly shocking to anyone outside of the NBA. Let’s not forget, he was sued by former Clipper manager Elgin Baylor for racial discrimination, and settled a lawsuit with the government over allegations that he discriminated against tenants at apartment buildings he owns. Donald doesn’t have any friends or allies among other owners in the league,” the insider reveals for the e-zine.

“The NBA is tightly governed about forcing an owner to sell a team. The NBA can only force an owner to sell if the team is facing dire financial circumstances, such as not being able to make payroll,” adds the spy.

For the time being, Sterling is keeping mum as the scandal continues to blow up. Another tipster reveals for Radar that he plans to sit out the next couple of games of the Clippers because “he’s not stupid” and knows that he would risk too much by showing face right now.

He will probably refuse to sell the team.

Meanwhile, the players on the team are conducting their very own silent protest, throwing their warmup gear in the middle of the field during a playoff game, revealing their shirts worn inside out, with the logos hidden, CNN informs. Sterling said on the recording that he “made” the Clippers team and that he fed and clothed all the black players on it when no one else would.