LOS ANGELES (TheBlaze/AP) -- Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling says he was baited into using racist language by the woman whose secret recording of him led to his lifetime NBA ban, and he said jealousy fueled his words. He also attacked NBA great Magic Johnson, saying he should be "ashamed" because he got HIV after "having sex" with women across the country.
Sterling struck a contrite tone throughout the interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper that had its first full airing Monday and consisted of his first public comments since the recording became public, apologizing for his remarks and saying he's not a racist.
But in new excerpts that aired Monday, he said he was merely reflecting the racial language used by V. Stiviano, who he said would declare she was going to bring some "beautiful black men" to his games and make similar statements.
Sterling said he was "a little jealous" of the men surrounding Stiviano.
He also bashed NBA great Magic Johnson, saying he has "AIDS" and has done nothing to help the black community.
"What has he done?" Sterling asked Cooper. "He's got AIDS."
Cooper clarified that Johnson is HIV positive, but that doesn't mean he has full-blown AIDS. He also defended Johnson as a businessman who has opened establishments in inner city neighborhoods.
Featured image via AP
