TMZ Sports - Page 50

Billionaire real estate developer Rick Caruso says he's ready and willing to buy the L.A. Clippers if Donald Sterling gets the boot -- telling TMZ Sports he already has a team of investors ready to pounce.

Caruso -- who made a run to purchase the L.A. Dodgers back in 2012 -- tells us ... "If [The Clippers] become available, I would absolutely be interested."

Rick notes, "We have a group still together from when we looked at the Dodgers ... and if it makes sense, I'll take a shot at it."

While Sterling has not expressed any plans to sell the Clips, Caruso believes it's something D.S. absolutely HAS to do ... for the sake of the players, the fans and the league.

Caruso says he knows there will be a lot of people looking to buy the squad, but believes he's in a strong position to make the deal ... if it becomes available.

The woman who taped Donald Sterling has been accused by the NBA of extorting the Clippers owner ... and she also taped hours of conversations which could be a crime if she didn't tell him in advance -- so it's baffling that V. Stiviano just showed up at the L.A. County D.A.'s office.

Sources connected with Stiviano tell us ... she didn't go there over a case, but to "visit friends." We're told she worked at the D.A.'s office as an intern a few years back and she just wanted to see some old pals ... yes, it's bizarre.

And if she's just visiting ... why is she carrying a briefcase?

Kia is joining the growing list of sponsors who are pulling the plug on their sponsorship of the Los Angeles Clippers ... TMZ Sports has learned.

A rep for the car company -- which has an advertising campaign built around Clippers star Blake Griffin -- released a statement to TMZ Sports, saying. "The comments allegedly made by Clippers owner, Donald Sterling, are offensive and reprehensible, and they are inconsistent with our views and values."

The statement continues, "We are suspending our advertising and sponsorship activations with the Clippers. Meanwhile, as fans of the game of basketball, our support of the players and the sport is unwavering.”

As TMZ Sports first reported, CarMax, Virgin America and State Farm have all pulled their advertising dollars from the team following Donald Sterling's racist remarks.

12:30 PM PT -- Add LoanMart to the list -- a rep tells TMZ Sports, "The statements allegedly made by Donald Sterling are completely inconsistent with the views and ethics of the LoanMart organization. As a result, LoanMart is suspending our advertising and sponsorship activities for the Los Angeles Clippers."

11:12 AM PT -- Now Amtrak's out too. A rep for the train company tells us the company's sponsorship expired at the end of the regular season, and it's now working to remove ALL advertising assets from the market in the wake of the Sterling audio.

The rep tells us, "Amtrak believes the language used is unacceptable and is inconsistent with our corporate belief to treat everyone with integrity and dignity."

The L.A. Clippers just got another first class ticket to Dumpsville -- a rep for Virgin America tells TMZ Sports, the airline has officially decided to discontinue its sponsorship of the team.

The rep tells us, "While we continue to support the fans and the players, Virgin America has made the decision to end its sponsorship of the L.A. Clippers."

**WARNING -- THE FOLLOWING POST CONTAINS SERIOUS "GAME OF THRONES" SPOILERS ... GOOD ONES, TOO ... PROCEED WITH CAUTION**

Atlanta Falcons great Jamal Anderson -- the creator of the Dirty Bird -- is a HARDCORE "Game of Thrones" fan ... like, borderline obsessed.

So, when we asked him to put together a Monday morning "GoT" recap, dude was ALL ABOUT IT.

Soooo ... without further ado, here's Jamal's breakdown of last night's ep "Oathkeeper"

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"Always keep your foes confused. If they don't know who you are, or what you want, they can't know what you plan to do next." - Lord Baelish

We begin this week with Dany's continuing quest to free slaves in every city she conquers. Once again, no dragons this week. except for her sigil. Another city is in her hands. Her army is growing, her confidence is growing. Her dragons are growing ... LOOK OUT!!!

Enter Jaime Lannister training with Bronn. Sometimes the least likely people can remind you who has your back. Well done, Bronn.

With a nudge from Tyrion's bodyguard, Jaime finally visits his brother. They have always had an interesting bond. Jaime is one of the more fascinating characters on this show, his evolution continues.

Cut to Littlefinger & Sansa ... "We're on a boat!!!"

Remember last week I said look out Sansa! My advice hasn't changed a bit. "Littlefinger" Baelish is of course weaving his web on Sansa. One way to keep Sansa in check, make her think she was a part of King Joffrey's murder. Littlefinger at his finest.

Lady Olenna Tyrell, you've got to watch that one. Steering Margaery to a new king's bed, while admitting to disposing of another. Good student Margaery does just as her Matriarch instructs, and the look on Tomlin's face said it all. Of course the future king is enamored by her visit, let's hope for her sake he does keep his secrets. Ambition, indeed.

Sir Jaime Lannister, living up to his name with his recent acts. First, a sword with Valarian steel, then a new suit of armor. Clearly, Jaime has developed a rare connection with Brienne of Tarth.

Although noble intent, sending Brienne on a quest to find Sansa Stark with Podrick serves two purposes. One, he knows they (Brienne/Podrick) aren't safe in Kings Landing. Jaime also knows Sansa isn't safe on the run. Sir Jaime, what shall you do next?

We close this week with the Knight's Watch, a proper mess right now. Where do I start?

They don't really have enough men to properly defend Castle Black. They have a mutiny on their hands at Crasters Keep. Mance Rayder's army is headed from them. Oh yeah, they've also got a spy at Castle Black tracking John Snow to find his brothers. To make matters better, or worst, Brandan Stark is now captured at Craster's Keep.

My vote for most painful scene this week -- Hodor, chained around the neck getting poked and stabbed. Cold World.

For the past several seasons, there have been close connections where Stark children have come close, but have missed each other in passing along their travails. It appears we may get a meeting of Stark children soon?

Finally, we close this weeks episode with a haunting view of how White Walkers are created! Remember that proper mess I mentioned at Castle Black? Well, add White Walkers to their problems.

State Farm has suspended its relationship with the L.A. Clippers -- telling TMZ Sports they are "taking a pause" to assess the situation in light of the Donald Sterling audio.

A rep for State Farm -- which famously features Clippers superstar Chris Paul in an ad campaign -- tells us, "While those involved sort out the facts, we will be taking a pause in our relationship with the organization."

"We are monitoring the situation and we’ll continually assess our options."

The rep adds, "We have a great relationship with Chris Paul and will continue supporting the Born to Assist advertising campaign involving Chris and now other NBA players."

In a confounding move ... Donald Sterling emerged with his wife, hours after she trashed him publicly calling him despicable and prejudiced, and this time she LOUDLY defended him.

Donald and Shelly Sterling were leaving Fleming's steakhouse in Downtown L.A. Sunday night ... when a photog asked the Clippers owner if he was a racist ... in light of the audio posted by TMZ Sports.

Donald was mum, but Shelly screamed at the camera guy, "OF COURSE NOT."

And there's this ... it sounds like she says the tape was altered.

Just hours before, we broke the story in which Shelly declared, "We will not let one man's small-mindedness poison the spirit of the fans," adding, "Our family is devastated by the racist comments made by my estranged husband."

The L.A. Clippers have lost their first sponsor in the wake of the Donald Sterling audio -- CarMax has announced it will end its 9-year relationship with the team ... TMZ Sports has learned.

R & B singer Tank has joined the boycott against Donald Sterling ... REFUSING to go ahead with his plan to sing the National Anthem at Tuesday's Clippers game.

Tank tells TMZ, "As an African American man and artist, I must take a stand on a matter that is so deeply personal to me."

Tank goes on, "In light of the recent disturbing and offensive allegations, in good conscience, I cannot move forward with my scheduled appearance at Tuesday's Los Angeles Clippers game."

Tank tells us he won't associate his brand with an owner who makes minorities unwelcome.

The NAACP tells TMZ Sports ... the organization is revising its guidelines for selecting honorees in light of the Donald Sterling situation ... saying the fact he was set to receive an NAACP award next month is "unfortunate."

As we previously reported, Sterling -- who was sued TWICE for discrimination and has faced allegations of racism in the past -- was set to be honored on May 15th by the Los Angeles chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Now, a spokesperson for the national office tells TMZ Sports, "We are working on a new set of guidelines so there's greater scrutiny on who's selected for these awards."

"We need to have a better vetting process."

The rep tells us ... the national office is talking to the L.A. branch to find out exactly how Sterling even got on a list to be honored by the organization ... saying, "It was an unfortunate selection."

Donald Sterling contacted his ex-girlfriend Sunday and asked her flatly, "How can we make this go away?" ... sources connected with Sterling tell TMZ Sports.

Our sources say ... Sterling is keenly aware V. Stiviano is in possession of more than 100 hours of recordings ... some of which are extremely damaging to Sterling's reputation.

Our sources say Stiviano told Sterling to call her lawyer ... and thereby opened the door to settlement discussions. It's obvious the incentive for Sterling is to make sure the rest of the tapes never see the light of day.

TMZ Sports contacted Stiviano's lawyer Mac E. Nehoray ... who had no comment.

We know Stiviano is extremely upset that the Clippers and Donald Sterling publicly embraced a lawsuit filed by Sterling's wife Shelly against Stivianio, claiming she stole $1.8 million from Donald.

As for why Stiviano taped so many conversations ... as TMZ Sports reported, she told friends the Clippers owner WANTED her to record him and he knew he was being recorded ... partly because he frequently forgot what he said and the tapes refreshed his memory ... at least that's her story.

And this is interesting ... on Stiviano's Instagram page, she constantly tagged photos with "#RandomHouse" and "#Simon&Schuster" ... both large book publishing companies.

Sources connected with Stiviano tell us ... she IS in the process of writing a book "about life" -- but she insists it is not about Sterling.

This is the picture that triggered the conversation between L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling and his girlfriend ... the conversation in which he said he did not want her bringing Magic Johnson or any other African American to his games.

In the pic -- obtained by TMZ Sports -- V. Stiviano is on the right. The woman on the left is V's friend, Rachel Rodriguez.

Stiviano says on the audio -- and Sterling acknowledges -- he made her take the pic off Instagram because he didn't want her seen in public with an African American.

In another tape ... Sterling expressed similar disdain for posting this pic (above) -- also obtained by TMZ Sports -- of Stiviano with L.A. Dodger Matt Kemp.

Sources connected to V. Stiviano tell us ... she insists Donald Sterling is NOT her boyfriend ... saying their relationship is -- and always was -- strictly professional.

Things are about to get real serious for the NBA ... Al Sharpton tells TMZ Sports he's planning on contacting the NBA's major advertisers to get them to pull their sponsorship if the league does not suspend Donald Sterling ASAP.

Sharpton spoke to our photog Sunday afternoon at LaGuardia Airport, where he called on the NBA to take immediate action against Sterling ... since the Clippers owner has not denied making the racist remarks published by TMZ Sports.

Sharpton used very pointed language, saying, "What is there to investigate? He should be suspended immediately. Let's quit stalling, let's quit copping out, NBA. Let him go."

The Rev was clear ... if something significant isn't done TODAY, he's going to start putting pressure on advertisers to pull their money.

Mike Vick has finally selected his new jersey number -- #8 -- and sources connected to the NY Jets quarterback tell TMZ Sports it's all because of Steve Young.

As we previously reported, Vick decided NOT to go after #7 -- the number he's rocked since high school -- because Geno Smith wore it last year and he didn't want to start a controversy behind the scenes.

Vick posted on his Instagram this morning -- saying, "I want to see everybody in there MV8 jerseys this year. I appreciate all the fans that helped. Fresh start..new me! #JetsNation #GangGreen #V8."

Our sources tell us ... Young was a HUGE factor in the number selection because Vick has always looked up to Steve ... "He's one of Mike's favorite players of all time. Also, he's a lefty, too."


Donald Sterling's wife came out swinging ... saying she does NOT share the racist views of her husband.

Shelly Sterling says "Our family is devastated by the racist comments made by my estranged husband. My children and I do not share these despicable views or prejudices."

Shelly goes on ... "We will not let one man's small-mindedness poison the spirit of the fans and accomplishments of the team in the city we love."

And Shelly says, "We are doing everything in our power to stand by and support our Clippers team."

Shelly was at Sunday's playoff game and is flying back with the team tonight. Donald, on the other hand, was persona non grata at the game.

It's worth noting ... Shelly has been estranged from Donald for years. She retained attorney Laura Wasser several months ago to file a civil lawsuit against Donald's GF V. Stiviano. Wasser is a top divorce lawyer, so it seems divorce is imminent.