Embattled Clippers owner Donald Sterling spoke with CNN's Anderson Cooper for the first time about the scandal that has rocked his empire. INSIDE EDITION has the details.
Embattled Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling finally broke his silence in an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper.
Sterling said, "I am apologizing and I am asking for forgiveness. Am I entitled to one mistake after 35 years? It is a terrible mistake and I will never do it again."
Cooper asked, “Why did you wait so long to apologize? It has been a couple of weeks.”
He said, “That's a very good question. I am so emotionally distraught.”
Donald says he believes he was set up and suggests that his purported mistress, V. Stiviano, took advantage of him because of his age.
He said, “I don't know why she made me say those things. An 80-year old man is kind of foolish. I am kind of foolish. I thought she liked me and really cared for me."
You'll recall the scandal erupted when Donald Sterling was caught on audio tape telling Stiviano she shouldn’t bring black people to games, including Magic Johnson.
Donald Sterling said he's spoken to Magic Johnson twice since the scandal broke, but what he said about Magic is now causing an uproar.
He said, “What am I going to say? Has he done everything in his power to help minorities? I don't think so. I will say it. He's great. I just don't think he is a good example for the children of Los Angeles.”
Will Geist said on the Today show, "Wow! That just shows complete ignorance about Magic Johnson, above all else."
Johnson was at the Clippers playoff game Sunday when they tied up the series against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final seconds of the game.
Meanwhile, Donald’s wife of 60 years, Shelly, sat down with Barbara Walters. She owns 50% of the Clippers and vows to stay on despite the NBA demanding the Sterling's relinquish ownership.
Walters asked, “Is Donald Sterling a racist?”
Shelly replied, “I have never heard him say racial things. It was horrible when I heard it. I mean, it was just degrading and it made me sick to hear it. But, as far as a racist, I don't really think he is a racist."
She told Walters she thinks her estranged husband is suffering from dementia.
Shelly said, “He saw the tape and he said, ‘I don't remember saying that. I don't remember ever saying those things.’ And that's when I though he has dementia.”
Dr. Joshua Cohen is a New York City neurologist who treats people with dementia. He told INSIDE EDITION, "There are some things that could be indicative of dementia. Hard to know without doing an examination. Some of the areas that I did notice was that he had some difficulty with language. Also, multiple times, he was repeating the same thing over. Some of the evidence may be there that the features of dementia may be present."
INSIDE EDITION caught up with V. Stiviano outside her home in Los Angeles and asked, "Does Donald Sterling suffer from dementia?"
She didn't answer but told us, "Get off my property."
Donald Sterling has hinted there could be more trouble ahead, saying, “I never dreamt that this could happen. It is a terrible, terrible nightmare. I think that people say that she was taping me for two years. Maybe I was just fooling myself that she really did care for me for two years."
