NBA investigating racist comments attributed to Clippers owner Donald Sterling
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images


An audio recording posted on TMZ's website has the National Basketball Association reeling.
A man TMZ claims is Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling lectures a woman they say is Sterling's girlfriend V. Stiviano in the audio recording for "associating with black people."
The man goes on to specifically rail against a picture Stiviano posted of herself with Hall of Famer Magic Johnson on Instagram. That image has since been deleted from Stiviano's account. The man also says, "And don't bring him to my games, OK?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Magic Johnson took to Twitter in response:
The NBA is conducting a "full investigation" of whether the comments were made by Sterling, and a league spokesman called the audio recording "disturbing and offensive."
It is unclear what action, if any, the league could actually take if the voice on the call is indeed Sterling, though. The NBA would have to take into account that Sterling likely assumed his comments were not being recorded, notes USA Today.
The Clippers are preparing for Game 4 of their NBA playoff series against the Golden State Warriors.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
-
Ukraine peace deal: what precedent would land concessions set
Today's Big Question Kyiv has rejected US plans for peace, which would reportedly include US recognition of Crimea as Russian territory
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK
-
Desert wellness in Scottsdale: the best of Arizona's Old West
The Week Recommends Boost body, mind and soul in this hub of healthy living
By Kari Wilkin, The Week UK
-
At home with the Clooneys: is arguing with your partner healthy?
The actor and his wife claim to have never argued during their 10-year marriage
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK
-
Canada beats US in charged 4 Nations hockey final
Speed Read 'You can't take our country — and you can't take our game,' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted after the game
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Eagles trounce Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX
speed read The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Indian teen is youngest world chess champion
Speed Read Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, unseated China's Ding Liren
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Europe roiled by attacks on Israeli soccer fans
Speed Read Israeli fans supporting the Maccabi Tel Aviv team clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters in 'antisemitic attacks,' Dutch authorities said
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
New York wins WNBA title, nearly nabs World Series
Speed Read The Yankees with face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the upcoming Fall Classic
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Caitlin Clark the No. 1 pick in bullish WNBA Draft
Speed Read As expected, she went to the Indiana Fever
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
South Carolina ends perfect season with NCAA title
Speed Read The women's basketball team won a victory over superstar Caitlin Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Iowa's Caitlin Clark breaks NCAA scoring record
speed read College basketball star Caitlin Clark set the new record in Iowa's defeat of Ohio State
By Peter Weber, The Week US