Boston Celtics

Donald Sterling Slams Magic Johnson in CNN Interview

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling (left) speaks with CNN's Anderson Cooper. REUTERS

Disgraced Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling denied he was a racist but otherwise did himself no favors in an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper Monday night.

In his first television interview since the release of a controversial audio recording put his ownership of the team in jeopardy, the 80-year-old Sterling repeatedly denied accusations he was racist while attacking former Los Angeles Lakers star Magic Johnson. Sterling said Johnson called him after the recording became public, urging him to stay quiet until it blew over. Johnson is rumored to be interested in purchasing the Clippers should the NBA force Sterling to sell. From the CNN interview:

Advertisement:

[fragment number=0]

Johnson has been an unwilling participant in the Sterling news from the start after Sterling’s girlfriend, V. Stiviano, discussed the ex-Laker in the now infamous audio recording.

“Admire him, bring him here, feed him, [expletive] him, but don’t put (Magic) on an Instagram for the world to have to see so they have to call me,’’ Sterling said.

Johnson took to Twitter to respond to Sterling’s CNN comments Monday night.

[fragment number=1]

NBA commissioner Adam Silver also defended Johnson in a statement:

[fragment number=2]

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com