LA Clippers Owner Donald Sterling's Racist Rant Caught On Tape

[werepossum]

This is just nonsensical. Everyone has private thoughts that they don't want anyone to know. Almost everyone has petty jealousies, feelings of inadequacy, strange sexual fantasies, negative thoughts about friends and loved ones. Almost everyone has prejudices, even though their "higher" self knows that it's unfair.

According to you, people should openly air all of these negative traits. People should display to the world everything they know is bad about themselves.

This is an insanely stupid attitude, because we know we'll suffer for this "honesty." We know we'll alienate our friends and family. We'll lose our jobs. It doesn't matter that everyone else is just as bad; only those who "honestly" reveal their bad qualities will be punished.

As I wrote in an earlier post: People should be judged by their actions, not by their words.

I agree, but - how do we unknow something just because we shouldn't know it?

As I said I don't think the NBA and/or owner's association has clear grounds to remove Sterling, but in practical terms I cannot see how he stays to watch his investment plunge to zero. When the choices are (1) fight the world for your right to be a racist or (2) sell and quietly enjoy your hundreds of millions, looks like an easy choice to me.

Maybe the issue will resolve itself...

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/...angeles-clippers-owner-donald-sterling-cancer

lol I had not considered that Sterling might win by dying.

I can't believe this idiot was paying millions of dollars for sex with that woman. He could have done much better for much less.

Not if he's an octogenarian cheap racist bastard who wants to nail a young black chick and then have his wife get his money back.

 

[Fern]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...ocking-sale-clippers-source-article-1.1774769

I anticipated this happening. I'm not sure it's in the NBA's best interest to have a long dragged out lawsuit.

I've always thought it was in everyone's best interest to suspend him indefinitely and work quietly behind the scenes to help him sell it.

I wonder if Sterling worries that a forced sell will bring a lower price. There aren't many people who can afford and want such a thing. If the forced sell comes with a deadline he may have a valid concern. If so, that would make his calculation to file suit a logical one (spend millions to bring in many millions more).

Fern

 

[waggy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...ocking-sale-clippers-source-article-1.1774769

I anticipated this happening. I'm not sure it's in the NBA's best interest to have a long dragged out lawsuit.

I've always expected in was everyone's best interest to suspend him indefinitely suspend him and work quietly behind the scenes to help him sell it.

I wonder if Sterling worries that a forced sell will bring a lower price. There aren't many people who can afford and want such a thing. If the forced sell comes with a deadline he may have a valid concern. If so, that would make his calculation to file suit a logical one (spend millions to bring in many millions more).

Fern

i think anyone with a IQ above 6 knew he was going to lawyer up. it should be entertaining to see how it plays out. I thought the NBA mishandled it from the start.

 

[smackababy]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...ocking-sale-clippers-source-article-1.1774769

I anticipated this happening. I'm not sure it's in the NBA's best interest to have a long dragged out lawsuit.

I've always thought it was in everyone's best interest to suspend him indefinitely and work quietly behind the scenes to help him sell it.

I wonder if Sterling worries that a forced sell will bring a lower price. There aren't many people who can afford and want such a thing. If the forced sell comes with a deadline he may have a valid concern. If so, that would make his calculation to file suit a logical one (spend millions to bring in many millions more).

Fern

I knew this would happen. There can't be a president set that organizations can force you to sell someone you legally own. The NBA should have offered to buy the team at it's current valuation, rather than try and force him to sell. If they try and set a deadline, that would be ludicrous. Who would buy it, knowing that in a few months he will lose it and it will be available for cheaper?

 

[nehalem256]

As I said I don't think the NBA and/or owner's association has clear grounds to remove Sterling, but in practical terms I cannot see how he stays to watch his investment plunge to zero. When the choices are (1) fight the world for your right to be a racist or (2) sell and quietly enjoy your hundreds of millions, looks like an easy choice to me.

I think this might be the part that makes him willing to do it.

he's an octogenarian

Its not like he has decades to spend enjoying his millions.

 

[werepossum]

I think this might be the part that makes him willing to do it.

Its not like he has decades to spend enjoying his millions.

Could be. Most people really want others to like them though and would slink off into the night if caught saying something as racist/bigoted. I guess if one is a near billionaire one has gotten over giving a damn if anyone likes or respects them.

 

[werepossum]

Had to happen - the first cries of reverse racism.
http://charlotte.cbslocal.com/2014/...ing-didnt-want-to-pay-me-because-i-was-white/

 

[Wreckem]

I knew this would happen. There can't be a president set that organizations can force you to sell someone you legally own. The NBA should have offered to buy the team at it's current valuation, rather than try and force him to sell. If they try and set a deadline, that would be ludicrous. Who would buy it, knowing that in a few months he will lose it and it will be available for cheaper?

If you agree to it when you buy something, then yes they can force you to sell.

Sterling can try to argue anti-trust all he wants. He won't win unless the NBA announces they are going to be be auctioning off an expansion team around the same time as a forced sell. Said action would depress the value of his team. Right now, the NBA has no plans for an expansion team in the near term, but they will expand eventually.

Sterling would likely make more money NOW than he could have before, or could if the NBA announces an expansion auction. He could fetch over $1billion now, where as that number is higher than the teams actual worth. If the NBA backs down and doesn't make him sell but then they expand, his team is worth significantly less.

 

[smackababy]

Had to happen - the first cries of reverse racism.
http://charlotte.cbslocal.com/2014/...ing-didnt-want-to-pay-me-because-i-was-white/

This is just silly. He is a 29 year old, short shooting guard with a recurring back injury. That deal was more than he was making with the Magic. Perhaps, Sterling didn't want to waste money on a position player.

If you agree to it when you buy something, then yes they can force you to sell.

I think this is what Sterling is going to fight. The fact that the NBA can force you to sell your team, for whatever reason. I would find it hard to believe an 'at will' clause for termination exists in the owner's agreement. And, if it does, it is in the owner's best interest to not allow this to happen due to what is essentially bad PR.

 

[werepossum]

This is just silly. He is a 29 year old, short shooting guard with a recurring back injury. That deal was more than he was making with the Magic. Perhaps, Sterling didn't want to waste money on a position player.

I think this is what Sterling is going to fight. The fact that the NBA can force you to sell your team, for whatever reason. I would find it hard to believe an 'at will' clause for termination exists in the owner's agreement. And, if it does, it is in the owner's best interest to not allow this to happen due to what is essentially bad PR.

The NBA owners' association can definitely make him sell if he does not fulfill a contractual obligation. I suspect they will have a much more difficult job forcing a sale simply because he's a racist or bigot. In the long run though, if the Clippers cannot get a game televised or attract any sponsors then they stand to lose a lot of money. And I'd bet money that all those contracts have very strong morals clauses.

 

[smackababy]

The NBA owners' association can definitely make him sell if he does not fulfill a contractual obligation. I suspect they will have a much more difficult job forcing a sale simply because he's a racist or bigot. In the long run though, if the Clippers cannot get a game televised or attract any sponsors then they stand to lose a lot of money. And I'd bet money that all those contracts have very strong morals clauses.

I highly doubt sponsors will be pulled and the games won't be televised. The NBA would never let that happen, especially with their surge in popularity recently.

And just because it is in a contract Sterling signed, doesn't mean it is legal and will hold up in court. He didn't break any laws from what I can tell. Just because is is an ignorant asshole doesn't mean they can force him to sell. And, if racism is a reason, how about bigotry? There has been numerous statements that teams won't sign even known closeted gay players (this is not just in the NBA, but across multiple sports leagues in America). How about we get a list of all the owners who were homophobic and wouldn't sign players because of it. Let's out all of them as well! Did any of them happen to donate to Prop 8? Force them out as well!

 

[justrandomguy]

I agree with chief justice Roberts. Thank GOD that racism is no longer a concern in this country.

/sarcasm

 

[werepossum]

I highly doubt sponsors will be pulled and the games won't be televised. The NBA would never let that happen, especially with their surge in popularity recently.

And just because it is in a contract Sterling signed, doesn't mean it is legal and will hold up in court. He didn't break any laws from what I can tell. Just because is is an ignorant asshole doesn't mean they can force him to sell. And, if racism is a reason, how about bigotry? There has been numerous statements that teams won't sign even known closeted gay players (this is not just in the NBA, but across multiple sports leagues in America). How about we get a list of all the owners who were homophobic and wouldn't sign players because of it. Let's out all of them as well! Did any of them happen to donate to Prop 8? Force them out as well!

The Clippers have already lost every single sponsor. Any Clippers game next season, assuming Sterling is still the owner, will have zero sponsors, guaranteed. People take racism very seriously.

As I have said, I doubt the NBA owners' association can make him sell for what he said, but he doesn't have to break any laws. If he fails to complete any contractual obligation, he's gone. Beyond that, there is a huge deal of pressure that can and will be put on Sterling to sell. Free agents won't sign up or renew; draft picks will refuse to negotiate. Sponsors will refuse to sponsor. Fans will refuse to attend. If Sterling holds on, next season will be very, very expensive for him. And that's assuming that the NBA actually plays straight with him.

 

[shira]

I highly doubt sponsors will be pulled and the games won't be televised. The NBA would never let that happen, especially with their surge in popularity recently.

And just because it is in a contract Sterling signed, doesn't mean it is legal and will hold up in court. He didn't break any laws from what I can tell. Just because is is an ignorant asshole doesn't mean they can force him to sell. And, if racism is a reason, how about bigotry? There has been numerous statements that teams won't sign even known closeted gay players (this is not just in the NBA, but across multiple sports leagues in America). How about we get a list of all the owners who were homophobic and wouldn't sign players because of it. Let's out all of them as well! Did any of them happen to donate to Prop 8? Force them out as well!

Why are we limiting this discussion to homophobic owners? Clearly, ANYONE who privately says anything that's extremely racist or homophobic or sexist MUST be fired.

 

[emperus]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...ocking-sale-clippers-source-article-1.1774769

I anticipated this happening. I'm not sure it's in the NBA's best interest to have a long dragged out lawsuit.

I've always thought it was in everyone's best interest to suspend him indefinitely and work quietly behind the scenes to help him sell it.

I wonder if Sterling worries that a forced sell will bring a lower price. There aren't many people who can afford and want such a thing. If the forced sell comes with a deadline he may have a valid concern. If so, that would make his calculation to file suit a logical one (spend millions to bring in many millions more).

Fern

Huh? The team could be sold for as much as 1 billion. People are already lining up getting their investment groups together.

Breach of anti-trust laws? Wowsie. I guess he doesn't realize the whole NBA is in breach of antitrust laws. The draft, dictated pay scale, etc. etc. etc.

 

[shira]

I hate to be the cynic, but by far the #1 thing motivating the "big" actors in this farce is money. Sponsors don't want to lose their customers; team-owners don't want to lose their fans and their ad revenue. The "lesson" we've learned is that the "action" will follow the money. Players and the press are talking the talk and walking the walk. No one wants to be left on the wrong side of this "history." Meanwhile, racism and bigotry are doing just fine in these United States.

 

[cubby1223]

I hate to be the cynic, but by far the #1 thing motivating the "big" actors in this farce is money. Sponsors don't want to lose their customers; team-owners don't want to lose their fans and their ad revenue. The "lesson" we've learned is that the "action" will follow the money. Players and the press are talking the talk and walking the walk. No one wants to be left on the wrong side of this "history." Meanwhile, racism and bigotry are doing just fine in these United States.

They all supported Sterling when they could profit off him, and they stopped supporting Sterling when opposing him appeared to be the more profitable path.

People were lining up to capitalize on the media exposure while the story was at its peak.

 

[bradley]

Wow. And now doctors are in on the act, releasing phone messages from Mr. Sterling without consent (I assume) and violating client/patient confidentiality. I hope these people realize what comes around goes around.

Audio: Donald Sterling leaves angry voicemails for doctors
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/...-voicemail-recordings-20140619-htmlstory.html

 

[smackababy]

Yeah, that seems rather scumbagish if he was a patient of the doctors for them to release information about them.

Whatever, the NBA finals are over. The NBA can quietly concede with their tail between their legs and by next year, nobody will give a crap.

 

[JEDIYoda]

I just Love all these Donald sterling apologists.....

 

[smackababy]

I just Love all these Donald sterling apologists.....

Yeah! How dare someone be for a constitutional right being exercised in the privacy of their own home, being secretly taped, and then publicly shamed until they are literally forced to sell something they legally purchased!

Those people standing up for that must also be racists!


All those KKK apologists who continue to be of the opinion, they are allowed to say stupid shit can't be forgotten either!

 

[Victorian Gray]

Yeah! How dare someone be for a constitutional right being exercised in the privacy of their own home, being secretly taped, and then publicly shamed until they are literally forced to sell something they legally purchased!

Those people standing up for that must also be racists!


All those KKK apologists who continue to be of the opinion, they are allowed to say stupid shit can't be forgotten either!

a) Mind explaining what the Stirling situation has to do with the Constitution?

b) don't believe that the original tape was recorded secretly. The woman and her lawyer claimed that Stirling knew about it at the time and I don't recall Stirling ever making a claim that he didn't know at the time.

 

[smackababy]

a) Mind explaining what the Stirling situation has to do with the Constitution?

b) don't believe that the original tape was recorded secretly. The woman and her lawyer claimed that Stirling knew about it at the time and I don't recall Stirling ever making a claim that he didn't know at the time.

The first amendment? Sterling was exercising his freedom of speech.

Also, as far as the tape, I haven't seen any proof Sterling acknowledges it was recorded and released with consent. You would think, if he had agreed to be taped, he'd have said it, you know, on the tape. But, of course, we didn't get the entire tape. Only a 15 minutes segment edited out to make him look bad. The women then claimed she took portions and gave them to a friend for "safe keeping" who then released them. Who does that? People with some sort of agenda.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

Wow. And now doctors are in on the act, releasing phone messages from Mr. Sterling without consent (I assume) and violating client/patient confidentiality. I hope these people realize what comes around goes around.

Audio: Donald Sterling leaves angry voicemails for doctors
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/...-voicemail-recordings-20140619-htmlstory.html

Donald Sterling's world came crashing down around him because he was recorded saying stupid things and those recordings were made public. Anyone with a functioning brain would at that point decide "I'm never going to knowingly get recorded ever again." Sterling responds by leaving crazy messages on peoples' voicemail. Regardless of the doctor/patient confidentiality angle or whatever, how do you keep allowing yourself to be recorded ranting about things? It's like he's incapable of learning from his mistakes. "Oh, no chance anyone ever hears this recording of me acting like a buffoon!" His lawyer needs to take his phone away before a recording surfaces of him trying to hire a hitman or whatever.

 

[Brainonska511]

The first amendment? Sterling was exercising his freedom of speech.

Is the government getting in the way of his racist speech-making? If no, then the 1st Amendment has nothing to do with this.

The government not being allowed to impose on your rights to free speech does not eliminate the possibility of the general public or private parties imposing consequences upon you for you using your free speech rights.