Interview Donald Sterling talks to Anderson Cooper
Donald Sterling attacked Lakers great Magic Johnson, suggested that African Americans have not done enough to help their community and blamed the media for creating the turmoil that envelops his team and his family. His remarks were made during an extraordinary interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper broadcast Monday night.
Here’s a look at some of what Sterling had to say:
On Magic Johnson
“I don’t think he’s a good example for the children of Los Angeles.”
“What kind of guy goes to every city, has sex with every girl, then catches” HIV, Sterling said. “I think he should be ashamed of himself.”
On his relationship with V. Stiviano
“I am… an 80-year-old man is kind of foolish. And I’m kind of foolish. I thought she liked me and really cared for me. I guess being 50 years, 51 years over — older than her, I was deluding myself.”
On his image since scandal broke
“The players don’t hate me. The sponsors don’t hate me… Fans don’t hate me. The media hates. The media — it’s all the media pushing it.”
On why he told V. Stiviano not to bring black men to games
“When she said to me, ‘I’m going to bring four gorgeous black guys to the game,’ players she was referring to, either football or basketball, I was a little jealous, maybe.”
On his relationships with women
“I used to think I understood women. I don’t think I do anymore. I don’t know.”
On his wife Shelly Sterling
“She is a beautiful person. She goes to the hospital, and she’s a volunteer at Cedars-Sinai. When I went to law school, she worked at the children’s hospital. She’s a giver. She works. At this stage in her life, she still works. She didn’t need this. Her whole life blew up.”
On helping the community
“The Jewish people — the Jewish people have a company, and it’s for people who want to borrow money and no interest. They want to give them a fish pole — a fishing pole. We want to help people. If they don’t have money, we will loan to it you … I’m just telling you, [Magic Johnson] does nothing. It’s all talk.”
On his racial comments caught on tape
“I made a terrible, terrible mistake. And I’m here with you today to apologize and to ask for forgiveness for all the people that I have hurt. And I have hurt so many people, so many innocent people. And I have hurt myself. You know, I spoke to a girl that I was fond of. And I don’t know why I can never — when I listen to that tape, I don’t even know how I could say words like that.”