In a taped conversation, Sterling allegedly told his ex-girlfriend that he did not want her bringing black people to his games after she posted a picture on Instagram with Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

Leaked on Saturday, the 81-year-old was angry at V  Stiviano - who herself is half black - for "broadcasting herself with black people" and later went on to say: "You can sleep with [black people].You can bring them in, you can do whatever you want.

"The little I ask you is not to promote it on that and not to bring them to my games."

According to a source close to Sterling, the franchise owner knows that his most likely punishment would be a fine of some sort which is a mockery considering the United States have such a strong civil rights movement.

Sterling has since come out and defended himself, saying he is not a racist. But history says otherwise.

In 2006 he was charged with a housing discrimination lawsuit when he was accused of not renting apartments to Hispanics and African-Americans.

According to witnesses, Sterling said he did not like to rent to "Hispanics" because  "Hispanics smoke, drink and just hang around the building," while, "Black tenants smell and attract vermin." He settled for $2.7 million.

In 2009, he was sued by former general manager Elgin Baylor for wrongful termination alleging racial and age discrimination.

In this case, Sterling was quoted by Baylor saying: "Personally, I would like to have a white Southern coach coaching poor black players."

And now he doesn't want black people at his games.

Clippers head coach Doc Rivers is black while members of the team are black.

It leaves them in a very difficult position, working for someone with a long list of racial accusations. But the members of staff shouldn't have had to deal with this problem.

The fact that the league have allowed an owner with a history as controversial as Sterling's is appalling. And yet it seems his 33-year tenure as owner could well continue.

Not only does he get people worldwide talking about the sport, he bought the club in 1981 for $12.5m and the team are now valued at $575m according to Forbes magazine. Why would the NBA want to get rid of such a profit machine?

And to add insult to injury, Sterling is set to receive his second lifetime achievement award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

When was his first? In 2009, around the time he dismissed Baylor.