No, it's not filled with vile epithets, just vile thoughts. To recap: The 80-year-old Sterling, allegedly tape recorded by his 20-something girlfriend who happens to be getting sued by Sterling's wife because he lavished the youngster with millions of the wife's money, is heard on the tape saying that he doesn't want his paramour to be photographed with blacks, or to bring them to Clippers games.
This is from a guy whose players – overwhelmingly African-American by ethnicity - are in the playoffs, working their hearts out for themselves and for Mr. Sterling's already bulging wallet.
Now, the NBA is in a bind. What to do with an owner who has faced allegations of racism before, both with his housing projects and with his former General Manager, the hall of famer Elgin Baylor.
We'll find out what the NBA has in mind soon enough - officials have a news conference scheduled for tomorrow. But there are plenty of calls for him to get the boot, and plenty of sponsors who have either pulled out or are this-close to abandoning their work with the Clippers. And how does the league force an owner out?
Tough questions, but not nearly as tough if they allow Mr. Sterling to continue without something big happening. Rob Powers is covering the story for us and will have the latest tonight at 11.
Also at 11, and speaking of comments, the director of the FBI tonight striking a blow for accurate definitions and offering that he wants to rename the nickname of terrorists acting alone from "lone wolf" to "lone rat." Nuf' said.
And we're sending love to our pal Joe Nolan, who this morning had a heart attack. I talked electronically with Joe this afternoon from the hospital – where he had a stent put in. He's says he's ok and expects to be out and about soon enough. But my oh my - do so many people love him. And my oh my, how I love him. Fast recover old friend.
We'll also have any breaking news of the night, plus Meteorologist Lee Goldberg's AccuWeather forecast (get ready for some rain). I hope you can join Sade Baderinwa and me, tonight at 11.
Subscribe to my page on Facebook at facebook.com/billritter.wabc.
Follow my tweets at www.twitter.com/billritter7.
