NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson is angrily refuting disgraced L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling's claims that the Lakers' legend called him in the days after the league's longest tenured owner was publicly humiliated over the release of a tape of him was aired where he instructs a girlfriend "not to bring black people to my games."
Appearing on a CNN talk show Monday night, the 81-year-old Sterling told host Anderson Cooper Johnson had called him twice during the days when new NBA commissioner Adam Silver was moving to impose a lifetime ban and maximum $2.5 million fine against him. With his claim, many have concluded Sterling seemed to be implying Johnson had duped him into remaining silent, all perhaps in hopes of at some point being able to gain control over the franchise he has owned for the last 33 years.
But TMZ Sports is now reporting representatives for Johnson insist it was Sterling who twice called Johnson, "trying to use him as a prop" for a Barbara Walters interview he had booked.
"Donald called Magic the Monday after TMZ Sports posted the audio and said he wanted Magic to sit with him for the Walters interview as a show of support," according to TMZ, adding that Johnson was so opposed to the idea he had his attorneys call Sterling's to let them know his calls were not welcomed by their client.
LeBron James avoided Clippers because of Donald Sterling?
The league is now moving forward with plans to force Sterling into selling his team, with Oprah Winfrey, David Geffen, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Oscar Dela Hoya all emerging as possible buyers.
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