(AllHipHop News) The Donald Sterling saga adds another layer today when his exclusive interview with Anderson Cooper airs. CNN has released a preview of the sit down between Sterling and Cooper.
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During the Q&A, Sterling apologizes for the taped remarks he made about not wanting his girlfriend/employee V. Stiviano photographed or attending Los Angles Clippers games with black people and insinuating the team of mostly African American players are indebted to him. But he claims he is not a racist and the situation was created by Stiviano who made him say the things heard in the recording.
“Well yes, I was baited,” Sterling said when asked if he “set up.” “I mean, that’s not the way I talk. I don’t talk about people for one thing, ever. I talk about ideas and other things. I don’t talk about people.”
The recorded conversation between Sterling and Stiviano was made public which eventually led to the 80-year-old being banned from the NBA for life. The other owners of the league are expected to vote to have Sterling stripped of his ownership of the franchise.
“I’m a good member [of the NBA] who made a mistake and I’m apologizing and I’m asking for forgiveness,” he said. “Am I entitled to one mistake, am I after 35 years? I mean, I love my league, I love my partners. Am I entitled to one mistake? It’s a terrible mistake, and I’ll never do it again.”
One of the main topics of discussions on the recording was Sterling’s opposition to Stiviano posting a picture of her and L.A. Lakers great Magic Johnson to Instagram. Cooper asked Sterling if he had apologized to Johnson.
“If I said anything wrong, I’m sorry,” said Sterling. “He’s a good person. I mean, what am I going to say? Has he done everything he can do to help minorities? I don’t think so. But I’ll say it, he’s great. But I don’t think he’s a good example for the children of Los Angeles.”
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