Magic Johnson Looks to Relinquish Sterling of LA Clippers Ownership Following Racism Scandal

According to reports, NBA legend Magic Johnson is interested in buying the Los Angeles Clippers following the reported racist remarks from their current owner, Donald Sterling.

Magic Johnson and his billionaire backers, the Guggenheim Partners, want a chance to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers, league sources told Yahoo Sports. “Magic’s absolutely interested,” one source closely connected to Johnson’s business interests told Yahoo Sports on Sunday night.

The NBA is investigating a report that LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling made racist remarks by asking a woman not to broadcast her association with black people or invite them to games. 

Celebrity news website TMZ posted a recording who they say is Sterling, speaking to his girlfriend V. Stiviano after she posted a photo of herself with Magic Johnson. 

Although Sterling later told TMZ that the recording did not reflect his views, the NBA described the comments as disturbing and offensive. 

US President Barack Obama has also weighed in and called the remarks incredibly offensive racist statements. 

NBA spokesman Mike Bass confirmed they were conducting a full investigation into the incident, whilst  Magic Johnson took to Twitter to say he would never go to a Clippers game again as long as Sterling was the owner. 

A joint statement from Sterling and the Clippers said they did not know if the tape was legitimate, but they did know that the woman on the tape is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by the Sterling family.

Sponsors Depart

Sterling has been hit with a further blow after major partner State Farm pulled their sponsorship of the team. CarMax have also ended their Clippers’ sponsorship deal.

In a statement they said: “CarMax finds the statements attributed to the Clippers’ owner completely unacceptable.”

“These views directly conflict with CarMax’s culture of respect for all individuals. While we have been a proud Clippers sponsor for 9 years and support the team, fans and community, these statements necessitate that CarMax end its sponsorship.”

NBA sponsors Gatorade and Taco Bell say they have no immediate comment on the Sterling controversy.

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