Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, who was banned for life from the NBA over racist comments, has apologised and asked for forgiveness in his first public statement since the controversy began last month, CNN said on Sunday.
In an interview to be broadcast on Monday, Sterling told CNN he's sorry but feels he was "baited" to make racist comments:
"When I listen to that tape, I don't even know how I can say words like that. ... I don't know why the girl had me say those things."
"You're saying you were set up?" Cooper asked. Sterling replied:
Well yes, I was baited. I mean, that's not the way I talk. I don't talk about people for one thing, ever. I talk about ideas and other things. I don't talk about people. I'm not a racist. I made a terrible, terrible mistake. And I'm here with you today to apologize and to ask for forgiveness for all the people that I've hurt."
Asked by Cooper why he took so long to say he's sorry, Sterling said he was "emotionally distraught."
"The reason it's hard for me, very hard for me, is that I'm wrong. I caused the problem. I don't know how to correct it."
Sterling said he doesn't want his comments to eclipse his lengthy tenure with the NBA.
I'm a good member who made a mistake and I'm apologizing and I'm asking for forgiveness. Am I entitled to one mistake, am I after 35 years? I mean, I love my league, I love my partners. Am I entitled to one mistake? It's a terrible mistake, and I'll never do it again."
Now, Sterling said, his fate is in the league's hands.
"If the owners feel I have another chance, then they'll give it to me," he said.
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