The controversy over racist remarks purported to have been made by Donald Sterling continued on Sunday after an extended version of an audio recording of the rant was posted to sports website Deadspin.
TMZ initially released a 10-minute-long audio recording on its website Friday that allegedly depicted the Los Angeles Clippers owner making racist comments about African-Americans during an argument with his then-girlfriend, V. Stiviano.
The argument purportedly began because Stiviano posted a picture of herself with Lakers legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson on Instagram.
“In your lousy f——— Instagrams, you don’t have to have yourself with — walking with black people,” the man said on the recording.
He is also heard asking the woman not to bring black people to his games.
“I’ve known [Johnson] well and he should be admired. … I’m just saying that it’s too bad you can’t admire him privately,” the man on the recording said. “Admire him, bring him here, feed him, f— him, but don’t put [Johnson] on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don’t bring him to my games.”
An extended 15-minute version of the recorded version was released by Deadspin on Sunday. In that recording, a woman can be heard saying, “Do you know that you have a whole team that’s black, that plays for you?” Deadspin reported.
The man responds, telling her, “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’s attorney, Mac Nehoray, who was representing Stiviano in a civil lawsuit brought against her by Sterling’s wife, told the Los Angeles Times that the Clippers owner was indeed the person who was recorded on the tape. He added that his client did not release the recording.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said the league was planning to investigate the incident.
Following the initial recording, Twitter quickly erupted with posts from people who were outraged by Sterling’s alleged remarks, including Johnson, who tweeted he would “never go to a Clippers game again as long Donald Sterling is the owner.”
In a separate tweet, Johnson added that the comments were “a black eye for the NBA.”
Others weighed in on the controversy, including President Barack Obama, who called the rant “offensive” and “ignorant” during a press conference in Malaysia, the Times reported.
“We’ve made enormous strides, but you’re going to continue to see this percolate up every so often,” Obama said.
Mayor Eric Garcetti also condemned the racist remarks, the Times reported.
“These statements are offensive and despicable and have no place in Los Angeles. I urge the NBA to act swiftly. L.A. fans deserve and demand better,” Garcetti said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the NAACP announced Sunday that it no longer planned to honor the Clippers owner with a lifetime achievement award.
“Let me make it clear, the NAACP will not be honoring Mr. Sterling at the upcoming Los Angeles branch event and we have strongly urged our Los Angeles unit to take the necessary steps to rescind the previous award they bestowed on him,” NAACP CEO Lorraine Miller stated in a press release.
The organization has also urged African-Americans and Latinos to not attend Clippers games – a request the man recorded in the audio could be heard saying.
The L.A. NAACP’s 100th anniversary celebration was scheduled to honor Sterling on May 15. Garcetti was also scheduled to receive a person of the year award.
A news conference about the controversy was scheduled to be held on Monday at 10 a.m. at the NAACP Career Center inside the Westfield Culver City Mall, the L.A. branch of the organization announced Sunday.
A coalition of civil rights leaders and activists were also planning to hold a rally against Sterling on Tuesday outside of Staples Center in Downtown L.A., according to a news release.
The “Los Angeles is Better than Donald Sterling Anti-Racism Protest and Rally” is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m., two hours before the Clippers next playoff game against the Golden State Warrior was scheduled to tip off.