Banned-for-life Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling reportedly regrets a bigoted rant audiotaped by his ex-girlfriend, confessing "I wish I had just paid her off."
Sterling broke his silence about the racist remarks to V. Stiviano in an interview with
DuJour magazine, which didn't release the full interview.
The magazine website featured the quote: "I wish I had just paid her off," beside a headline: Donald Sterling Speaks Up: The embattled Los Angeles Clippers owner on what he'd do differently.
Jason Binn of DuJour reports Sterling "expressed remorse" in a brief interview, according to
Business Insider. Stiviano, whom Sterling is audiotaped berating for associating with blacks, has denied she leaked the tape to TMZ and Deadspin, the
Los Angeles Times has reported.
In an interview with Barbara Walters on Friday night, the first part of which was posted on
Mediaite, Stiviano denied she was Sterling's mistress.
"I love him like a father figure," she said. "I’m Mr. Sterling’s everything. I’m his confidant, his best friend, his silly rabbit."
Stiviano said she thinks, however, he should "absolutely apologize."
"I think he feels very alone, not truly supported by those around him," she said. "Tormented, emotionally traumatized."
She suggested Sterling is "being tested by a higher power" and said "I don’t believe it in my heart" that he's a racist.
Sterling's remarks are the first since NBA Commissioner
Adam Silver banned the owner for life and fined him $2.5 million Tuesday.
Silver also has urged the league's owners to force a sale of the Clippers.
The billionaire businessman also is reportedly battling
prostate cancer.
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