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'HE SHOULD HAVE PAID'
Donald Sterling’s racism marked ‘worst moment of my career’ but he still made billions on team, ex-Clippers player fumes
Top NBA star believes controversial owner was allowed to get away with racist rant
THE NBA has been accused of failing to properly deal with former LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling's racist rant which stunned basketball in 2014.
The outrage and anger from players and administrators after Sterling is taped arguing using derogatory statements about African Americans was instant, leaving the multi-millionaire with no choice but to sell up and get out.
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As Clipped, a new Hulu documentary that chronicles one of the most distasteful episodes in American sporting history is released, The U.S. Sun has spoken to ex-Clippers staff - one player and one front-office worker - about the after-effects of Sterling's shameful actions.
"It was one of the most infuriating moments of my career," an NBA veteran with over 15 years of experience in the League told The U.S. Sun.
The well-known star spoke on the condition of anonymity, but let rip at his former boss while accusing League chiefs of not doing enough to punish him.
Sterling was quickly handed a lifetime ban and told to sell the franchise, which had been dubbed the worst-run team in the NBA following years in the doldrums.
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The wealthy businessman and attorney, played by actor Ed O'Neill in the new show, bought the San Diego Clippers for just $12.5 million in 1982, before selling to Microsoft Steve Balmer CEO for an astonishing $2 billion in the wake of his sickening controversy.
That's one hell of a profit for someone leaving the League in disgrace, even if he was fined $2.5 million by NBA commissioner Adam Silver for the remarks made between himself and mistress V. Stiviano, whom he told not to associate with black people, including basketball legend Magic Johnson.
IN THE GUTTER
Sterling's name and reputation was shattered - yet many of the Clippers roster felt his bumper sale to Balmer massively softened the blow.
"I went through a lot of things in my life, but this Sterling racism was by far, the most infuriating moment of my career and the fact that he got out with a big check and was forced to sell his team for billions got me even more mad," continued the NBA star who's still playing at the top of his game.
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"He got a way out and got tons of money to get out of the league. In my opinion, getting him out of the NBA by having another owner who gave billions to acquire the team wasn’t the solution. He should have paid for what happened."
He continues by stressing that seeing Sterling's family become richer was "sad" and there was a lack of "justice" for his shocking actions.
"All I could think about was how the franchise was going to explode," he admitted.
PRESIDENTIAL FURY
The backlash was felt all around the NBA, with iconic players like LeBron James making their feelings known and rival teams showing solidarity with the Clippers, who were in the play-offs at the time.
President Barack Obama weighed into the row, calling Sterling's comments "incredibly offensive racist statements" while a number of sponsors pulled the plug.
One of the front-office, who also spoke anonymously, recalled a very "tense" atmosphere among all staff members.
He remembers playing the tape to his African American wife and will never forget the "deep shock" that followed before having to undergo an uncomfortable discussion with his children.
"I was close to quitting," said the former staffer. "I don’t think people like Donald Sterling realize the impact of his racist language."
"What was he thinking? That it would have remained in the dark forever?" he continued.
"I didn’t interact with him that often, but even if I didn’t have particularly a great feeling about him before that racist rant, I never thought that someone would say something that offensive and racist."
WIDESPREAD ANGER
He revealed a large "wave" of people came close to leaving in the wake of the revelations because they felt uncomfortable about working for an organization with a racist at the helm.
"Racism is a cancer to this society, and I was ready to use every legal way to have him out of the team, out of the NBA and get him far away from a basketball court and the business," added the player.
"It was a bad situation, with no justice at the end of it."
Sterling, now 90 and reportedly in ill-health, filed for divorce from wife Shelly, who helped him run the franchise, in 2015.
They had become estranged in December 2012, after he was booted out of the family home following an argument with his mistress. On New Year's Eve, his son Scott died of an accidental overdose.
However, the anger sparked by his comments continues to hurt everyone affected.
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"It's been a few years since it happened," the player concluded. "But I still think about it often."
The U.S. Sun has contacted the LA Clippers, but is yet to hear back.
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