Magic Johnson 2009 - P 2012
Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesAfter denouncing Donald Sterling‘s racist, caught-on-tape remarks, NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson reiterated on Sunday that the Los Angeles Clippers owner isn’t fit to own a team.
“He shouldn’t own a team anymore,” Johnson said on ABC’s NBA Countdown, according to a transcript. “And, he should stand up and say ‘I don’t want to own a team anymore,’ especially when you have African-Americans renting his apartments, coming to his games, playing for him and coaching for him. This is bad for everybody. This is bad for America. I’m really upset about it.”
FULL COVERAGE: Fallout From Donald Sterling’s Race Rant
Both TMZ and Deadspin obtained versions of audio remarks that see Sterling express displeasure to V. Stiviano, described as his girlfriend, about having “black people” attend Clipper games. Sterling, a Los Angeles real estate mogul, has been the subject of multiple housing discrimination lawsuits in years past.
Johnson also expressed his personal disappointment at being mentioned in the remarks. “I was really upset. You can’t understand how hurt I was and also I was hurt for all African-Americans and all minorities. Donald Sterling has had issues in the past, so this isn’t the first time,” he said.
A day earlier, the former Lakers star said in a series of tweets that he wouldn’t attend a Clipper game as long as Sterling remained the owner of the team.
