Donald Sterling, owner of the L.A. Clippers, has come under fire after TMZ reportedly obtained audio of a discussion with his girlfriend in which he makes lewd racist comments. Bashing his girlfriend for interacting with “minorities,” Sterling requests that she not bring Black people to Clippers games, including Magic Johnson. “It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?” he asks her in the clip (above). Stating that he is a part of a “culture,” Sterling defended his remarks to his girlfriend in a casual way-of-the-world manner, as he tore into her about taking photos with Black people on Instagram “for the world to have to see.” And now, stars have reacted to Sterling’s shameful comments, including Magic Johnson, who got wind of the video today:
I feel sorry for my friends Coach Doc Rivers and Chris Paul that they have to work for a man that feels that way about African Americans.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 26, 2014
.@cjbycookie and I will never go to a Clippers game again as long as Donald Sterling is the owner.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 26, 2014
Snoop Dogg also made a personalized Instagram message to Sterling, complete with a few choice words: Meek Mill also took to Twitter, calling Sterling the “definition of racism”:
Donald sterling is the definition of racism …. He could b your judge…. Your doctor…..you teacher etc… I bet nothing happens 2 him!
— Meek Mill (@MeekMill) April 26, 2014
ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith also shared his thoughts on the controversy, saying that Sterling has a history of racist acts towards players. He also called for the NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, to get involved. “Obviously, I was appalled. But to be quite honest with you, I wasn’t too surprised. I’ve know several players that have played for Donald Sterling in the past, in particular Baron Davis, who’s been on the record, very publicly decrying some of the stuff that was spewed in his direction,” he said on ESPN today (Aug. 26) Several commentators and public figures, including Smith, have called for the LA Clippers, including Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, to sit out their upcoming Game 4 tomorrow afternoon. Coach Doc Rivers plans to meet with the team as well. Additional tapes of Donald Sterling making more racist remarks are also said to come out in coming days.