Michael Jordan ‘disgusted’ by Donald Sterling’s alleged racial comments

Michael Jordan, a Hall of Fame player who now owns an NBA franchise, issued a statement Sunday blasting Clippers owner Donald Sterling for his alleged comments about African Americans.

“I look at this from two perspectives -- as a current owner and a former player. As an owner, I’m obviously disgusted that a fellow team owner could hold such sickening and offensive views. I’m confident that [NBA Commissioner] Adam Silver will make a full investigation and take appropriate action quickly,” Jordan said.

The NBA said Saturday that it would investigate after TMZ reported late Friday that it had an audio recording that captures the Clippers owner making racist statements in the course of an argument with a friend.

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A person identified by TMZ as Sterling can be heard in the recording telling a female friend, identified as V. Stiviano, that he was upset she posted a picture on her Instagram account of herself next to Lakers legend Magic Johnson and also asked her not to bring minorities to Clippers games.

Jordan, who won six championships as a player with the Chicago Bulls and is a five-time league MVP, bought the Charlotte Bobcats franchise in 2010.

“As a former player, I’m completely outraged. There is no room in the NBA -- or anywhere else -- for the kind of racism and hatred that Mr. Sterling allegedly expressed. I am appalled that this type of ignorance still exists within our country and at the highest levels of our sport. In a league where the majority of players are African American, we cannot and must not tolerate discrimination at any level,” Jordan added.