SAN FRANCISCO (CBS)- An investigation has been launched into racist comments attributed to Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Clippers coach Doc Rivers held a press conference on Saturday.
Rivers told reporters, "Our goals have not changed... our goal is to win the NBA title and we're not going to let anything stand in the way of that... we'll deal with it internally."
In response those calling for a boycott Rivers said, "We choose to play, and we're going to play tomorrow... it's easy to protest, the protest is in our play."
Clippers Coach Doc Rivers Responds to Alleged Racist Comments by Team Owner Sterling
ESPN is reporting the TMZ tape has been edited.
Meantime, Donald Sterling has also responded saying he and his team don't know if the audio is legit, but he says it does not reflect his views toward African-Americans.
Sterling and the Clippers organization issued a statement:
"We have heard the tape on TMZ. We do not know if it is legitimate or 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."
Raw Audio: Clippers Coach Doc Rivers Reacts To Alleged Racist Comments By Team Owner Sterling
/ CBS San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS)- An investigation has been launched into racist comments attributed to Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Clippers coach Doc Rivers held a press conference on Saturday.
Rivers told reporters, "Our goals have not changed... our goal is to win the NBA title and we're not going to let anything stand in the way of that... we'll deal with it internally."
In response those calling for a boycott Rivers said, "We choose to play, and we're going to play tomorrow... it's easy to protest, the protest is in our play."
Clippers Coach Doc Rivers Responds to Alleged Racist Comments by Team Owner Sterling
ESPN is reporting the TMZ tape has been edited.
Meantime, Donald Sterling has also responded saying he and his team don't know if the audio is legit, but he says it does not reflect his views toward African-Americans.
Sterling and the Clippers organization issued a statement:
"We have heard the tape on TMZ. We do not know if it is legitimate or 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."
Featured Local Savings
CBS News Bay Area
Jury hears chilling audio of Athena Strand's final moments in FedEx truck
Upgraded San Francisco emergency communications network nears completion
Clinton River continues to flood Metro Detroit neighborhood
LAPD investigating Valley Glen home burglary as string of San Fernando Valley crimes continues
People living along Fox River bracing for flooding as latest storms approach
Evacuation ordered along part of Muskegon River in Newaygo County
N.H. teacher resigns after alleged inappropriate interactions with students online
D.C. Police lieutenant arrested in Maryland for alleged sexual solicitation of minor