Less than two weeks after audio was released of LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling making racist comments, another recording has hit the internet. But this time he’s singing a different tune.
A man identified as Sterling, who was banned from the NBA for life following the hate-laced audio leaked by rumored girlfriend V. Stiviano, can be heard telling a friend that he is not racist in the new tape. He can also be heard expressing skepticism that the NBA could force him to sell his team.
“You think I’m a racist?” a man identified as Sterling by Radar Online can be heard saying in the audio recording. “You think I have anything in the world but love for everybody? You don’t think that! You know I’m not a racist!”
During the recording obtained by Radar Online, the man identified as Sterling seemed skeptical that the NBA would actually be able to force a sale of a team, claiming at one point that “you can’t force someone to sell property in America.”
Ah…America.
But if you’re thinking the denial tapes come at a convenient time, you’re not the only one. Sports Illustrated legal analyst Michael McCann suggests that it could be a preview of a coming legal battle over the team.
New recording suggests Sterling might argue he couldn’t have (as required) “willfully” broken NBA rules since he didn’t intend to be racist.
— Michael McCann (@McCannSportsLaw) May 8, 2014
Possibly. Listen to the audio here.
SOURCE: HuffPost, RadarOnline | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty