Earvin “Magic” Johnson stressed that he will “always stand up for African-Americans” and that racism has “no room in society” during his visit to Gary on Monday in the wake of the fallout from the release of a recording of racist remarks allegedly made by Los Angeles Clippers Owner Donald Sterling earlier this month.
“Racism has no place in sports or in life,” Johnson told several reporters gathered for a press conference prior to his appearance at the Genesis Convention Center to raise money for the Gary Community School Corporation. “It was a sad day in sports, hopefully our commissioner Adam Silver will act quickly.”
Johnson said he felt “disappointed, hurt and outraged” when he heard Sterling single him out personally.
“I’m always going to fight for African-Americans, and when he said this, I knew I’d have to fight for myself and my people,” Johnson said.
He denied reports that have indicated he may be interested in buying the Clippers should Sterling be forced out.
“No, no, no,” he said. “I never said that.”
He said it’s “too bad” the controversy is taking attention away from a great NBA playoffs thus far, but that players should not boycott playoff games.
"Boycotting now would be wrong, but if nothing happens, the whole league, not just the Clippers, should boycott” beginning in the off-season, he said.
Johnson thanked Charlotte Bobcats Owner and former Chicago Bulls great Michael Jordan, who took a firm stance against Sterling’s comments over the weekend.
“It is great for us to band together and not stand for that,” Johnson said. “This is America, this is 2014, and we aren’t going to stand for that.”