Tarnished Sterling Sordid Tale Of Money Power Prejudice

We're not sure exactly who recorded the conversation between Sterling, owner of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, and the woman described as his girlfriend, one V. Stiviano. Sterling is 80; Stiviano is described as being in her 20s.

More curious in relation to Sterling's comments: Stiviano is said to be of black and Hispanic extraction.

MORE: What started it | Images | NBA weighs sanctions | None yet | Extended audio

The  Clippers put out a statement  Saturday that tied Stiviano to the tape's release to the celebrity gossip/trash website TMZ. The statement included this:

"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."

The statement also takes a swipe at Stiviano by noting she "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.' "

The suit in question is believed to be one filed by Rochelle Sterling, Donald's wife of more than 50 years. Stiviano, who is somewhat of a mystery woman, is described in the suit as a  gold digger who seduces men  into giving her lavish gifts.

If the suit is to be believed, Sterling bathed Stiviano with millions of dollars in cash, property and luxury items.

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Lest one get too sympathetic toward Sterling, remember he has been involved in two federal cases involving treatment of minorities in his apartment holdings. In 2003, he was sued by the Justice Department for housing discrimination. In 2006 Sterling ran afoul of the government again in a similar situation.

Then came the Elgin Baylor suit in 2009. In it, Sterling was alleged to have a “vision of a Southern plantation-type structure” for his franchise, according to a Los Angeles Times article.

What, then, are we to think about a report from Los Angeles that says the NAACP is (or was) scheduled to honor Sterling at a May 15 banquet? Sterling's remarks have the group reconsidering its tribute, according to the Los Angeles Times.

UPDATE: The NAACP opted not to honor Sterling, its chief announced Sunday. Lorraine Miller, the organization’s interim president, made the disclosure on NBC’s Meet the Press.

Miller said the non-denial issued by the Clippers was akin to an admission of guilt.

"If you're silent about this, then you're accepting this," Miller said. "And people have got to say that this is not good and do something about it."

In an appearance on ABC's NBA playoffs preview show on Sunday, Magic Johnson said Silver should "come down hard" on Sterling and added that Sterling "shouldn't own a team anymore."

And in a statement issued through his Charlotte Bobcats, Michael Jordan said: "I'm completely disgusted that a fellow team owner could hold such sickening and offensive views." As a former player, Jordan said, "I'm completely outraged."

Sterling deserves a fair and just hearing of the charges against him, and the NBA appears on track to  conduct an investigation of the latest incident.

The league could order Sterling to sell the franchise. It should order him to stay away from the team for the rest of its playoff run. If for no other reason, because it would help the players forget the mess and focus on winning for their fans and for each other.