Donald Sterling responded to the NBA’s attempt to force him to sell his team. Mr. Sterling insists the "illegal" recording made during a "lover’ quarrel" should not be used to oust him as owner. Mr. Sterling did not intend the recording to ever see the "light of day," said his lawyers. The lawyers’ statement, instead, attacked the NBA’s charge for lacking the "courage" to acknowledge the circumstances of Mr. Sterling’s "jealous rant." See CBS news report. 

Mr. Sterling’s lawyers miss the point. Mr. Sterling clearly holds racist views. It does not matter how those views were revealed. An employer of so many black athletes cannot be expected to act without some degree of racism. Three civil rights lawsuits against the owner confirm that simple reality.  

But, heck, no one expected the famously litigious Mr. Sterling to go quietly into the night.