“Wear Black,” “Blackout” Urged on Social Media in Wake of Clippers Racist Comments

Fans still want to attend the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors playoff game on Tuesday night - many of them just want to show up wearing black.

A new Twitter handle was created, @ClippersBlkout, urging "Clips fans plz wear BLACK 2 Staples 4/29! "ClippersBlackout."

Many voiced their support on Twitter. Dan Boate joined a chorus of others saying that "everyone that attends a Clippers game...should wear full black from head to toe. Make it a "Blackout #Unitedas one." And Josh Margolis tweeted "Clippers fans should black-out their next game to protest their racist owner. #SterlingisARacist."

The call to action was inspired after audio tapes obtained by TMZ Sports surfaced over the weekend on which a man who TMZ identifies as Clippers owner Donald Sterling tells his girlfriend that he doesn't want her to be seen in public with black people.

NBC News has not been able to authenticate the audio tape and a similar recording released by Deadspin that Deadspin claims is an extended version of the conversation. The Warriors beat the Clippers 118-97 on Sunday, evening the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.

The Clippers already turned their warm-up gear inside-out Sunday afternoon revealing red t-shirts, which hid the Clippers team insignia, usually emblazoned front and center.

Sacramento Mayor and special adviser to the National Basketball Player's Association Kevin Johnson said he told League Commissioner Adam Silver that player are adamant that Sterling not be allowed to attend any playoff games. The Clippers take on the Golden State Warriors Tuesday in the first game in Los Angeles since the release of the audio.

Johnson told the TODAY show that Sterling would be an "enormous distraction" if he attended any NBA games during the playoffs. Sterling did not attend Sunday's game -- a blowout loss at Golden State -- but his wife, who has filed suit against the woman alleged to be on the tape, was present. 

Attorneys for the woman, V. Stiviano, said in a news release Sunday that the audio tapes released by TMZ and Deadspin are legitimate and part of a longer recording about one hour in length. Stiviano’s attorney denied that his client leaked the recording to the news news media.

Andy Roeser, Clippers president, released the following statement:  "Mr. Sterling is emphatic that what is reflected on that recording is not consistent with, nor does it reflect his views, beliefs or feelings. It is the antithesis of who he is, what he believes and how he has lived his life."

Contact Us