Sterling Controversy: Players Call on NBA to Take Action

There’s new pressure now on the NBA after LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling was accused of making an explosive, racial rant.

U.S. news

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>>>new fallout tonight for the owner of the one of the
nba
franchises here in
southern california
, the
los angeles clippers
after an explosive audiotape surfaced reportedly of team owner and real estate owner
donald sterling
going on a racist tirade during a conversation with his one-time girlfriend. tonight, several big sponsors are abandoning the clippers and pressure building on the league to take action.
joe
fryer is at the staple's center across town here in la where the clipper wills play in a play-off game tomorrow night. good evening.

>> reporter: good evening. hours before that game tomorrow, the
nba
will make an announcement about its investigation into
donald sterling
. right now it's unclear what, if any, action the league will take. in the play-offs,
nba
fans are asking to take swift action against sterling, the
la clippers
owner accused of making racist remarks.

>>they need to erase him from the clippers and say this man will not be part of the team. they need to suspend him immediately and indefinitely.

>> reporter: usc
law professor
jody armor say it's complicated.

>>they don't want to establish a president where the commissioner has the power to suspend them for something they said in private.

>> reporter: two websites posted
audio recordings
, which they say are conversations between sterling and then girlfriend. the recordings have not been verified by nbc news.

>>yeah, it bothers me a lot that you want to promo, broadcast that you're associating with
black people
. do you have to?

>> reporter: according to tmz, sterling was upset she posted this picture posing with
magic johnson
who in the wake of this controversy expressed interest in buying the clippers. today companies are ending or suspending sponsorships with the team. carmax called the statements completely unacceptable.
kia motors
say they are offensive and reprehensible.

>>i think it has the potential to hurt the
nba
's image. i hope they react quickly and indecisively in dealing with this.

>> reporter: president obama
weighed in from asia.

>>when ignoreant folks want to advertise ignorance, you don't do anything but let them talk.

>> reporter: clippers' players made a silent statement, revealing shirts inside out hiding the team logo.

>>from that point on,how could your mind be on the game?

>> reporter: in a statement, the clipper's president said it's not clear if the recordings are legitimate or authored. sterling was about to receive a life-time achievement award from la's naacp for his charitable contributions. that won't happen now.

>>there is a personal economic and social price that mr. sterling must pay.

>> reporter: tomorrow the clippers will host the
golden state warriors
. they play-off series tied at two games a piece. some clipper's fans are calling for a boycott of that game. brian?