Donald Sterling's wife condemns 'small-minded' husband's 'despicable' statements as she supports Clippers court side at playoff game

Shelly Sterling, wife of Clippers owner Donald Sterling, attending Sunday's playoff game against Golden State
In audio recordings released yesterday, Sterling can be heard making racist comments on a phone call to girlfriend Vanessa Stiviano
He allegedly tells her to not bring black people to basketball games or pose with them in Instagram photos
Mr and Mrs Sterling are still legally married, but separated many years ago
On Sunday, Mrs Sterling called the remarks despicable as she supported the team
While the Clippers players initially thought of boycotting the game, they played anyway and wore black socks in solidarity
The NBA is investigating the recordings

PUBLISHED: 21:36 EST, 27 April 2014 | UPDATED: 21:54 EST, 27 April 2014

Clippers owner Donald Sterling was absent from Sunday's game after audio recordings were released of him making racist statements

In calls to girlfriend Vanessa Stiviano, authenticated by her lawyer, Sterling tells her not to bring black people to Clippers games or post pictures of herself with black men on Instagram.

However, Sterling's estranged wife Rochelle, who goes by Shelly, sat court side for the playoff game against Golden State and told TMZ she does not stand behind her husband's comments.

'Our family is devastated by the racist comments made by my estranged husband. My children and I do not share these despicable view or prejudices.

Mrs Sterling showed up: Shelly Sterling, estranged wife of Clippers owner Donald Sterling, sat court side at Sunday's game against Golden State the day after audio recordings were released of her husband making racist statements on a phone call to his girlfriend, Vanessa Stiviano

Not a racist: In the recordings, Sterling is heard telling his girlfriend not to bring black people to games or post pictures of herself with them on Instagram. His wife called the statements despicable

'We will not let one man's small mindedness poison the spirit of the fans and accomplishments of the team in the city we love.

'We are doing everything in our power to stand by and support out clippers team,' Shelly said.

She elaborated to ESPN, saying she does not condone her husband's statements, or believe in them.

'I'm not a racist. Never have been, never will be,' Mrs Sterling said.

The company she kept: V. Stiviano, former mistress of Clippers owner Donald Sterling, poses for a photo with Lakers legend Magic Johnson which sent the NBA team owner ballistic

Damning recording: Donald Sterling (center) can be heard telling his girlfriend V. Stiviano (to his left) not to bring black people to Clippers games

Estranged: Donald Sterling is still married to wife Shelly but the pair have been separated for years

Spark: Vanessa Stiviano can be heard justifying to L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling that she thinks it's OK to have a photo with Matt Kemp because he is of mixed race. Sterling had previously ordered his mistress to remove photos of herself with black people from her Instagram page

The Sterlings are still married despite separating several years ago and seeing other people. However, a legal split may be imminent as TMZ reports Mrs Sterling has obtained divorce lawyer Laura Wasser.

While the Clippers players, many of whom are African-American, initially planned to boycott the game, they decided to play and protest the comments by wearing their warm-ups inside out and black socks in solidarity.

The Clippers lost to Golden State 118-97.

Upset: Members of the Los Angeles Clippers listen to the national anthem while wearing their shirts inside out to hide the team's logo

Protest: Los Angeles Clippers forward Jared Dudley warms up with teammates wearing their warm up clothes inside-out to hide the team name in the wake of the racist allegations made by the team's owner

Making an example: Some fans were able to take the alleged comments and make light of them

The tapes were released as part of a lawsuit against filed by Mrs Sterling, accusing Stiviano of embezzling $1.8million from her family.

On the audio recording made public Saturday, a man believed to be Donald Sterling is heard telling off his girlfriend that he doesn't want her bringing any black people to his team's basketball games.

'You can sleep with (black people). You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want. The little I ask you is not to promote it on that... and not to bring them to my games,' Sterling is heard saying on a tape obtained by TMZ.

The spat reportedly started when Stiviano, who is Mexican and African American, posted a photo of herself and Magic Johnson on her Instagram page.

Hypocritical: Sterling told his girlfriend V. Stiviano (pictured left and right), who is Mexican and African-American, that she can sleep with black people but shouldn't bring them to Clippers games

Big fan: Stiviano regularly attends Clippers games (pictured at an October 2013 game)

'It bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you’re associating with black people. Do you have to?' Sterling is heard saying.

'I’m just saying, in your lousy f******* Instagrams, you don’t have to have yourself with, walking with black people.

'Don't put him (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.'

And further comments made by the Clippers' owner have been released by Deadspin.

Sterling's sentiments are virtually identical as he tells Ms. Stiviano that she should not be seen with them in public with black people or bring them to Clippers games.

The NBA says it is investigating and spokesman Mike Bass called the statements 'disturbing and offensive'.

More...

Some listeners responded to say that it appears Sterling is being goaded into making the remarks, whilst others believe that them to be his commonly held views.

'Honey, if it make you happy, I will remove all of the black people from my instagram?' Miss Stiviano asks as the tape begins.

'You said that before. You said 'I understand.' Sterling replies.

'I did remove the people that were independently on my Instagram that are black.' Stiviano responds. 'I didn't remove Matt Kemp and Magic Johnson, but I thought Matt Kemp is mixed and he was Ok, just like me. He's lighter and whiter than me.'

'You think I'm a racist,' says Sterling.

'I dont think you're a racist,' replies Stiviano.

'I think you have an amazing heart honey. I think the people around you have poison minds, and have a way of thinking.'

RECORDED IN HIS OWN HOME: EXTENDED TRANSCRIPT OF 15 MINUTE TAPE

The conversation is allegedly between Donald Sterling and his girlfriend, who goes by the name V. Stiviano, who identifies herself as part Mexican and part African American.

V: I don't understand, I don't see your views. I wasn't raised the way you were raised.

DS: Well then, if you don't feel—don't come to my games. Don't bring black people, and don't come.

V: Do you know that you have a whole team that's black, that plays for you?

DS: 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?

V: Honey, if it makes you happy, I will remove all of the black people from my Instagram.

DS: You said that before, you said, 'I understand.'

V: I DID remove the people that were independently on my Instagram that are black.

DS: Then why did you start saying that you didn't? You just said that you didn't remove them. You didn't remove every—

V: I didn't remove Matt Kemp and Magic Johnson, but I thought—

DS: Why?

V: I thought Matt Kemp is mixed, and he was OK, just like me.

DS: OK.

V: He's lighter and whiter than me.

DS: OK.

V: I met his mother.

DS: You think I'm a racist, and wouldn't—

V: I don't think you're a racist.

DS: Yes you do. Yes you do.

V: I think you, you—

DS: Evil heart.

DS: It's the world! You go to Israel, the blacks are just treated like dogs.

V: So do you have to treat them like that too?

DS: The white Jews, there's white Jews and black Jews, do you understand?

V: And are the black Jews less than the white Jews?

DS: A hundred percent, fifty, a hundred percent.

V: And is that right?

DS: It isn't a question—we don't evaluate what's right and wrong, we live in a society. We live in a culture. We have to live within that culture.

V: But shouldn't we take a stand for what's wrong? And be the change and the difference?

DS: I don't want to change the culture, because I can't. It's too big and too [unknown].

V: But you can change yourself.

DS: I don't want to change. If my girl can't do what I want, I don't want the girl. I'll find a girl that will do what I want! Believe me. I thought you were that girl—because I tried to do what you want. But you're not that girl.

V: It's like saying, 'Let's just persecute and kill all of the Jews.'

DS: Oh, it's the same thing, right?

V: Isn't it wrong? Wasn't it wrong then? With the Holocaust? And you're Jewish, you understand discrimination.

DS: You're a mental case, you're really a mental case. The Holocaust, we're comparing with—

V: Racism! Discrimination.

DS: There's no racism here. If you don't want to be... walking... into a basketball game with a certain... person, is that racism?

Racist history: Clippers owner Donald Sterling who has twice been sued for refusing to rent apartments to minorities, is seen shaking hands with Reggie Evans of the Brooklyn Nets in 2013

The conversation continues on with Sterling apparently concerned that people will think certain things if his mistress is seen with black people,

He tells his mistress that under no circumstances should you bring them to Clippers games.

'It's the world! You go to Israel, the blacks are treated just like dogs,' says Sterling. 'There are white Jews and black Jews...'

'And are the black Jews treated less than the white Jews?' asks Stiviano.

'A hundred percent, fifty, a hundred per cent,' says Sterling.

'And is that right?'

'It isn't a question - we don't evaluate what's right and wrong, we live in a society. We live in a culture. We have to live within that culture. I don't want to change the culture because I can't. It's too be big.'

Then Stiviano asks Sterling how he rationalizes his views when he has an entire team of black people.

'Do you know that you have a whole team that's black that plays for you?' she asks.

Do I know? I suppose them and give them food, and clothes, an card, 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?'

Before Sunday's game , Clippers coach Doc Rivers said he would remain the only one to speak for the team on this, saying players want to remain focused on basketball.

Uncomfortable questions: I didn¿t like the comments. I¿m going to tell you now. A lot of guys voiced their opinions. None of them were happy about it. This is a situation where we are trying to go after something very important for us. We¿re not going to let anyone get in the way of those dreams

ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF RACISM - THE STARS WHO HAVE SPOKEN OUT

Retired basketball player Shaquille O'Neal says the Donald Sterling audio is 'repugnant'. He believes the clippers owner should step or be suspended at the very least. Shaq disagrees with Magic Johnson, who told us he thinks African Americans should boycott Clippers games as long as Sterling owns the team.

Rapper Snoog Dogg made a heated response to Sterlings comments using foul language and extremely offensive words calling him a calls 'b****-ass redneck, white bread, chicken s*** mother f*****.'

Reverend Al Sharpton is calling for the NBA to investigate Donald Sterling. 'No one should be allowed to own a team if they have in fact engaged in this kind of racial language, he told TMZ. Sharpton is calling for the league to make an investigation into Sterling its number one priority. 'We are prepared at National Action Network to rally in front of the NBA headquarters if this matter is not immediately dealt with.'

Rapper Meek Mill is angry after hearing the audio and blasts Donald Sterling saying the Los Angeles Clippers owner is the 'definition of racism'. However, he doesn't think he will be punished. 'Donald sterling is the definition of racism .... He could b your judge.... Your doctor.....you teacher etc. I bet nothing happens 2 him!' Mill wrote on Twitter early Saturday morning.

Magic Johnson says that he feels personally hurt by the comments. 'I'm very disappointed, angry and upset,' said Johnson. 'Let's go back when I first got here in 1979. Dr. Buss took me to my first real party at Donald Sterling's house in Malibu for his annual BBQ.

Ever since then, since Dr. Buss introduced me to him at the time he bought the Clippers, we've been out, we've had lunch and even shared meals to talk about his team, so I thought we had a sort of a friendship, even though it may be a distant one.' Johnson added, 'I respect him, I thought he respected me, but when these comments came out, it hurt. It didn't hurt me as much personally as it hurt me for all African Americans. If you come to me and say, ‘Hey look I'm a racist or I discriminate against blacks or I don't like you because you're African American, I respect that. I can respect you more by doing that, but don't smile in my face, shake my hand and then you don't really respect me or want me to be around or come to your games as the owner of the Clippers.'

Keith Olberman says the Clippers should boycott the playoffs and refuse to step back onto the court until the NBA takes action against Donald Sterling. Olbermann went to Twitter this morning.'time for #Clippers players to step up. Refuse to play till NBA moves against this racist jackass #Sterling. NBA can't defend him.'

Reverend Jesse Jackson is calling for the Clippers to employ some kind of 'symbolic expression' to protest the statements made by team owner Donald Sterling. Jackson told TMZ he beleives the league 'must respond and respond quickly' -- and says the players should do something during the game to 'show a sign of indignation.'

'Our message is to play,' Rivers said. 'Our message is that we're going to let no one and nothing stop us from what we want to do.'

While the Clippers wanted to let their play do the talking, other NBA players continued to speak out on the subject.

Some talked about the hurt Sterling's alleged words caused. Others urged Silver to take an aggressive stance against Sterling, who has a history of alleged discrimination. Most of them hoped Sterling would be removed as the team's owner someday soon.

'We're more than basketball players,' Wizards guard Garrett Temple said. 'We're human beings, first and foremost, and when you hear something like that, it's very unfortunate that whoever that is talking feels that way, and I don't think there's any place in this game or in the world, for that matter, for thoughts like that.'

Miami Heat star LeBron James said Silver needed to take action, going so far as to suggest 'there is no room for Donald Sterling in our league.' Lakers star Kobe Bryant wrote on his Twitter page that he couldn't play for Sterling.

James said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver should take swift action if the comments are found to be made by Sterling.

NBA backlash: Heat forward Lebron James (left) spoke out about Donald Sterling's shocking audio recording, saying that there is no room in the league for the LA Clippers owner (right)

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver addresses the media about a recording containing racist comments by the Los Angeles Clippers owner at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee

RESPONDING TO RACISM - CLIPPERS OFFICIALS RELEASE STATEMENTS

Clippers President Andy Roeser released the following statement on Saturday:

We have heard the tape on TMZ. We do not know if it is legitimate or it has been altered.

We do know that the woman on the tape - who we believe released it to TMZ - is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by the Sterling family alleging that she embezzled more than $1.8 million, who told Mr. Sterling that she would 'get even.'

Mr. Sterling is emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with, nor does it reflect his views, beliefs or feelings.

It is the antithesis of who he is, what he believes and how he has lived his life. He feels terrible that such sentiments are being attributed to him, and apologizes to anyone who might have been hurt by them.

He is also upset and apologizes for sentiments attributed to him about Earvin Johnson.

He has long considered Magic a friend, and has only the utmost respect and admiration for him - both in terms of who he is and what he has achieved.

We are investigating this matter.

Speaking out: Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, answers questions during a pregame news conference before Sunday's game

Clippers head coach Doc Rivers also offered his thoughts in a lengthy public response after meeting with his players:

I didn’t like the comments. I’m going to tell you now. I’m speaking on behalf of the team, so the players are not going to deal with this issue.

We had a great team meeting this morning about it. A lot of guys voiced their opinions. None of them were happy about it.

This is a situation where we are trying to go after something very important for us, something we’ve dreamed about all of our childhoods … We’re not going to let anyone get in the way of those dreams.

As far as the comments, we were not happy with any of them, but we’re going to let everything get handled and that situation will be dealt with later.

Right now, our goals haven’t changed. Our focus is on Golden State, and it’s going to stay on Golden State.

It upsets all of us. There is not one guy who is happy with this situation. Do you think I want to be talking about this instead of trying to stop Steph Curry?

I don’t. I don’t like all the phone calls I’ve been getting and all that stuff. We try to keep clutter, that’s the word all year, keeping clutter away from our team.

And it’s been brought to our team, and it upsets me and it’s something that upsets our team.

That said, we have something that we are playing for, and we’re going to deal with that now. The other stuff we are going to deal with later.

This is a distraction. I’m going to focus on my guys. I came here for them.

They came here for each other. Our goals have not changed. Like one of the players said today, 'When I was a little kid and I had a goal to win a championship, it was to do that. It wasn’t to win a world championship for someone.'

As a group, we have to stay together.

I think the biggest statement we can make as men, not as black men, but as men, is to stick together and show how strong we are as a group. Not splinter, not walk.

It’s easy to protest. The protest will be in our play.

‘Obviously, if the reports are true it's unacceptable in our league,’ James said. ‘It doesn't matter, white, black or Hispanic - all across the races it's unacceptable.

‘As the commissioner of our league they have to make a stand. They have to be very aggressive with it. I don't know what it will be, but we can't have that in our league.’

He added, ‘We're the model citizen of all sports around the world because we are the most recognizable figures. ... It's very disrespectful and it's appalling.’

Clippers President Andy Roeser said in a statement that the recording does not reflect Sterling's beliefs.

'It is the antithesis of who he is, what he believes and how he has lived his life,' Roeser stated. 'He feels terrible that such sentiments are being attributed to him and apologizes to anyone who might have been hurt by them.'

He added that Sterling is ‘upset and apologizes for sentiments attributed to him’ about Johnson, described as Sterling's friend for whom he has ‘the utmost respect and admiration.’

Meanwhile, the racism controversy has now spread to Malaysia, where President Obama is on a diplomatic mission to Asia Pacific nations.

News spreads fast: The racism controversy embroiling Don Sterling, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, has reached half way around the world to Malaysia, where President Obama is on a diplomatic mission to Asia Pacific nations

At a press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak Sunday, Obama was asked about racist comments Sterling allegedly made about African-Americans.

'When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you don't really have to do anything, you just let them talk. That's what happened here,' the President said.

Obama also said Sterling's alleged comments are an example of how 'the United States continues to wrestle with the legacy of race and slavery and segregation.'

'That's still there, the vestiges of discrimination. We've made enormous strides, but you're going to continue to see this percolate up every so often,' Obama said in Malaysia.

Sterling was supposed to receive a lifetime achievement award in the coming week from the NAACP.

However, NAACP interim President Lorraine C. Miller told NBC’s 'Meet the Press' on Sunday that Sterling was no longer getting the award.

President Barack Obama responded Sunday to racist comments on an audio recording of a man believed to be Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, while holding a press conference in Malaysia with Prime Minister Najib Razak

At several points on the tape, the 81-year-old billionaire claims that he is not racist but does not understand why his girlfriend wants to publicize her relationships with people of color.

Magic Johnson, who retired from the Los Angeles Lakers in 1991 and returned for a single season in 1996, spoke out against the comments and said that he will never attend another Clippers game while Sterling is the owner.

'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,' he wrote on Twitter, citing some current Clippers players.

'LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling's comments about African Americans are a black eye for the NBA.'

Making a statement: Magic Johns announced that he will not be attending any future Clippers games

He expanded on his thoughts to TMZ, saying that he does not think the players should boycott but the fans should.

'He wants our money but doesn't want us to show up,' Johnson said.

'I thought we were friends. We've broken bread together several times. It's almost like, do you smile in my face but behind my back you talk about me? I'd have felt better in 1979 if you would have just told me you don't like African Americans, and then I would have known how to deal with you.

'He has to step down or sell the team.'

Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, now owner of the Charlotte Bobcats released a statement to CBS News saying, 'I'm obviously disgusted that a fellow team owner could hold such sickening and offensive views.'

Jordan added: 'I am appalled that this type of ignorance still exists within our country and at the highest levels of our sport.'

The recording has prompted calls for a boycott of the team by the NBA and fans alike- including former sports broadcaster Keith Olberman and Snoop Dogg, who posted an expletive-laced video on his Instagram account.

'A message to the motherf***** that owns the Clippers. You b****-a** redneck white-bred chickens*** motherf*****: F*** you, your momma and everyone connected to you, you racist piece of s***. F*** you,' the rapper says in an Instagram video he posted to his account Saturday morning.

This is not the first time that Sterling has been accused of being racist.

Official response: Clippers President Andy Roeser said he recording does not reflect Sterling's beliefs

He was sued twice by the federal government after refusing to rent apartments to minorities.

In the 2005 case, he was ordered to pay a $2.73million fine to settle.

In a 2009 case, he was accused of refusing to rent to non-Koreans when it came to a property in Koreatown and refused African American tenants for a property in Beverly Hills.

He was reportedly accused of saying that he wouldn't rent to Hispanics because they 'smoke, drink and just hang around the building'.

The suit also accused Sterling of saying, 'Black tenants smell and attract vermin'.

He was also named in a 2003 lawsuit wherein he crudely described how he had sex with a prostitute who charged $500-per-tryst.

In that case, he admitted that 'maybe I morally did something wrong' but went on to explain that 'it was purely sex for money, money for sex, sex for money, money for sex,' according to records obtained by The Smoking Gun.

WORD BY WORD: EXCERPTS FROM THE NINE-MINUTE RECORDING

The conversation is allegedly between Donald Sterling and his girlfriend, who goes by the name V. Stiviano, who identifies herself as part Mexican and part African American.

VS: I wish I could change the skin. The color of my skin
DS: That isn't the issue. You've missed the issue.
VS: What's the issue?
DS: The issue is we don't have to broadcast everything.
VS: I'm not broadcasting anything. I don't do anything wrong.

DS: Why are you taking pictures with minorities... why?

The conversation centered around a now-deleted photo that Stiviano put on Instagram of herself and Magic Johnson (pictured)

VS: What's wrong with minorities? What's wrong with black people?
DS: Nothing, nothing, nothing.
VS: What's wrong with Hispanics?
DS: It's like talking to an enemy. There's nothing wrong with minorities, they're fabulous. Fabulous. Because you're an enemy to me.
VS: Why?
DS: Because you don't understand.
VS: I don't understand what?
DS: Nothing, nothing.
VS: That racism still is a lie?
DS: No but there's a culture.
VS: What culture?
DS: People feel certain things. Hispanics feel certain things towards blacks. Blacks feel certain things towards other groups. It's been that way historically and it will always be that way.
VS: But it's not that way in my heart and in my mind.
DS: But maybe you want to adjust to the world.

DS: Yea it bothers me a lot that you want to broadcast that you're associated with black people. Do you have to?
VS: You associate with black people.
DS: I'm not you and you're not me. You're supposed to be a delicate white or a delicate Latina girl.
VS: I'm a mixed girl.
DS: Ok well.
VS: And you're in love with me. And I'm black and Mexican. Whether you like it or not. Whether the world accepts it or not. And you're asking me to remove.... you want me to have hate towards black people?
DS: I don't want you to have hate. That's what people do- they turn things around. I want you to love them- privately. In your whole life, everyday you can be with them. Every single day of your life.
VS: But not in public?
DS: But why publicize it on the Instagram and why bring it to my games?

Recorded: A call between Sterling and his girlfriend was released and he is heard making racist assertions

VS: I can't believe that a man who's educated, a man who's a scholar, a man...
DS: Well believe it, and stop talking about it. Let's finish our discussion with a period, ok?

VS: I took a picture with someone I admire (Magic Johnson).
DS: Good
VS: He happens to be black, and I'm sorry.
DS: I think the fact that you admire him- I've known him well, and he should be admired. And I'm just saying that it's too bad you can't just admire him privately, and during your entire f****** life, your whole life- admire him, bring him here, feed him, f*** him, I don't care. You can do anything. But don't put him on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me. And don't bring him to my games, OK?

Provocative Inspiration

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Sunday, April 27, 2014

Donald Sterling's Wife Is Respectable