On Friday, TMZ Sports uncovered a leaked audio recording of LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling and his alleged girlfriend, V. Stiviano (formerly Maria Vanessa Perez) having an argument.
In the recording, Sterling made racist remarks towards black and Hispanic people, including former NBA player and Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan. He also told Stiviano not to bring them to his games or associate with them publicly.
The dispute began when Stiviano posted a picture with former NBA player Magic Johnson on her Instagram page.
TMZ Sports has the Instagram photo in question here. As of Monday, Stiviano’s Instagram page has over 140 thousand followers.
Twitter users have gone on the offensive, saying that Sterling’s racist comments have no place in the NBA. Many voiced their opinions with images insulting to both Sterling and the LA Clippers.
Various celebrities like Snoop Lion and Shaquille O’Neal have come forward to blast Sterling for his behavior, while Rev. Al Sharpton plans on protesting until the Clippers are no longer owned by Sterling.
Sterling’s remarks have already had major consequences. State Farm has chosen to stop advertising with the LA Clippers until Sterling is removed from his position, with interim CEO Steve Stoute saying “somebody has to stand up.”
State Farm pulls its sponsorship of the Clippers, with its CEO saying “somebody has to stand up.” http://t.co/de9jzqGgcn via @TheHerd
– Cindy Boren (@CindyBoren) April 28, 2014
CarMax has also pulled its sponsorship from the Clippers, saying “the statements attributed to the Clippers’ owner [are] completely unacceptable.”
CarMax statement ending Clippers’ sponsorship deal: “CarMax finds the statements attributed to the Clippers’ owner completely unacceptable.”
– SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 28, 2014
Certain users took Sterling’s comments and made light of them, especially his demand to Stiviano that she not bring any black people to his NBA games.
Good thing the Clippers owner isn’t here to witness that. #DubNation #BeatLA pic.twitter.com/3quh433cma
– Jeremy Gordon (@JeremySF) April 27, 2014
While the outrage was focused on Sterling’s comments, some users took a more direct approach to venting their disapproval at the now-tarnished reputation of the LA Clippers.
S/o to @LAClippers pic.twitter.com/2MqKGapxS7
– MrTooCool (@thecoolcadet) April 27, 2014
TMZ Sports has the alleged Instagram photo that sparked Sterling’s rant.
Donald Sterling — The Magic Pictures That Triggered Racial Rant http://t.co/PuC0kVtJHT
– TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) April 27, 2014
Shelly Sterling, Donald’s wife, is in same courtside seat where they sat Friday..and she’s wearing all black…
– Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) April 27, 2014
More signs at Oracle pic.twitter.com/oIXngs3GYM
– CJ Fogler (@cjzero) April 27, 2014
Update: The NBA has posted a tweet saying that it will hold a press conference concerning Donald Sterling tomorrow.
The NBA will hold a press conference tomorrow to make an announcement about its investigation involving Clippers owner Donald Sterling (1/2)
– NBA (@NBA) April 28, 2014