Clippers release statement on alleged Donald Sterling racist comments

The Los Angeles Clippers have issued a formal response to racist statements allegedly made by Clippers owner Donald Sterling on an audio recording that was reported by TMZ late Friday.

Clippers President Andy Roeser says in the statement that the team does not know if the man recorded is Sterling but that the statements do not reflect Sterling’s “views, beliefs or feelings.”

Furthermore, Roeser claims the woman on the tape is the defendant in a lawsuit filed by the Sterling family that claims she embezzled more than $1.8 million. Sterling told Roeser that the woman said she would “get even” with Sterling for bringing the lawsuit against her.

READ: Chris Paul, Kevin Johnson respond

A person identified by TMZ as Sterling can be heard in the recording making racist statements to a female friend, identified as V. Stiviano. A person identified by TMZ as Sterling can be heard in the recording, said to be made made earlier this month, telling the woman identified as Stiviano that he was upset she posted a picture on her Instagram account of herself next to Lakers legend Magic Johnson.

Here’s Roeser’s complete statement:

“We have heard the tape on TMZ. We do not know if it is legitimate or [if] it has been altered. We do know that the woman on the tape -- who we believe released it to TMZ -- 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.” 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. He feels terrible that such sentiments are being attributed to him and apologizes to anyone who might have been hurt by them. He is also upset and apologizes for sentiments attributed to him about Earvin [Magic] Johnson. He has long considered Magic a friend and has only the utmost respect and admiration for him -- both in terms of who he is and what he has achieved. We are investigating this matter.”

The NBA said Saturday that it is conducting an investigation.