Donald Sterling controversey: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar calls for Clippers owner to cede control

Former UCLA and Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, spinning a basketball while visiting children last year in the Alemao complex slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is interested in joining part of a future Milwaukee Bucks ownership group. (Victor R. Caivano/The Associated Press)

Former UCLA and Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, spinning a basketball while visiting children last year in the Alemao complex slum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is interested in joining part of a future Milwaukee Bucks ownership group. (Victor R. Caivano/The Associated Press)

Amid Clippers owner Donald Sterling purported to have made racially disparaging comments on an audio tape obtained by TMZ, Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar called him for him to cede his control of the franchise.

“Donald Sterling’s recent comments confirm that he is guilty of the systematic racism that he’s been accused of for the past 14 years,” Abdul-Jabbar wrote on his Facebook page. “The best possible outcome would be for him to voluntarily give up his franchise so a new owner who reflects the values of America can take over. In the meantime, we all need to continue to support the Clippers, who clearly are enduring a moral crisis. At a time like this, it’s important that they remember that, though the team is owned by Sterling, they are not defined by him anymore than Americans are defined by any one elected official. The players are defined by their actions. And right now their actions should reflect their commitment to the fans and to showing the world that the players live up to the principles of equality.”

RELATED:


Donald Sterling controversey: Kobe Bryant expresses appreciation for Lakers’ ownership


Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shows interest linking with Milwaukee Bucks ownership group

Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark MEdina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com