L.A. Reacts to Sterling Apology; Brooke Baldwin Commencement Speech
BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Bottom of the hour. You're watching CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin. Donald Sterling wants America to know he's not a racist. He said so during his first TV interview since his racist comments he made in private went public. So, in this exclusive one-on-one with our own Anderson Cooper, Sterling also tried to apologize for disparaging remarks he made about NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and African-Americans. Take a look.</s>DONALD STERLING, L.A. CLIPPERS OWNER: I'm not a racist. 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. When I listen to that tape, I don't even know how I could say words like that. And I'm so sorry. And I'm so apologetic.</s>ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR, "AC 360": What are you sorry about?</s>STERLING: Well, I'm sorry that so many people are hurt. I never dreamt that this could happen. It's a terrible, terrible nightmare. My players, they didn't need this. They didn't need this cloud over their head. And they're good people.</s>BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Make sure you tune in tonight, 8:00, for the entire interview. And you see this guy on your screen? Magic Johnson. So when this whole story unfolded, Magic said he would never go to a Clippers game as long as Sterling was the owner. But here he was, just yesterday, Game Four, with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. What could this be about? Johnson is rumored to be one of the parties interested perhaps, perhaps in buying the Clippers. Let's bring in CNN's Stephanie Elam who's outside the Staples Center, where very shortly Dick Parsons is set to hold his first press conference since being named interim CEO of the Clippers. Stephanie, let me get to that in a minute. You're in L.A. You're talking to folks. What is your reaction to this apology?</s>STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I have heard two things. One, that why did it take a couple of two weeks before Donald Sterling made any kind of apology, so why did it take so long? I've also heard people saying that he does seem sincere with what he's saying, that he does seem to be apologetic. And the other thing that they're wondering is just how much of this is involved in his desire to hold onto the team. And so that's what a lot of people are wondering, how that's going to play out, Brooke.</s>BALDWIN: To the Dick Parsons -- this is the first-ever press conference since he's been named. Do we have any idea what he might be saying?</s>ELAM: We do know that the head coach for the Clippers, Doc Rivers said that he has spoken to Dick Parsons and said that Mr. Parsons said he was going to focus on the basketball -- I mean, on the business and that Doc Rivers said he was going to focus on the basketball, and that they were going to divvy it up that way. What will be interesting to hear is how plans on attacking this problem that has become pervasive for the Clippers franchise, and how to separate what's going on with Sterling from actually getting the business of basketball handled, day in, day out. So that's what we're looking to hear from Mr. Parsons when he speaks here today.</s>BALDWIN: We'll be watching for it on CNN. We'll be watching for you, as well. Stephanie Elam in Los Angeles, thank you so much. And as I mentioned a moment ago, we've just been playing snippets of this interview. You have to tune in, 8:00 tonight, "AC 360," for the entire, exclusive one-on-one with Donald Sterling. Just ahead, though, Michael Sam, becoming the first openly gay football player drafted into the NFL, it was an emotional moment, followed by a kiss with his boyfriend. Here you go. But just wait until you hear how some of his colleagues reacted to that. Also ahead, Hillary Clinton, candid, in what's expected to be a revealing new memoir, we have a snippet on the one person she says inspires her to keep pushing, each and every day. Stay with me.