Sponsors and singers flee Clippers while players mull protest

Sponsors are fleeing their associations with the Los Angeles Clippers organization in the aftermath of the publication of audio recordings of racially inflammatory remarks allegedly made by owner Donald Sterling. Even the anthem singer wants out.

Used car dealership CarMax and airline Virgin America said Monday they are cutting off their sponsorship deals with the Clippers.

“While we have been a proud Clippers sponsor for nine years and support the team, fans and community, these statements necessitate that CarMax end its sponsorship,” the Richmond, Va.-based CarMax Inc. said in a statement emailed to AP.

Kia Motors America — whose television advertisements feature Clippers star Blake Griffin — said it is suspending its advertising and sponsorship activities with the team. And insurance company State Farm said it “will be taking a pause in our relationship with the organization” while continuing to run its Born to Assist ad campaign, starring Clippers point guard Chris Paul.

R&B singer Tank, who was scheduled to perform the national anthem at Tuesday night’s playoff game against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center in Los Angeles, told TMZ he won’t sing because of Sterling.

“As an African-American man and artist, I must take a stand on a matter that is so deeply personal to me,” Tank told the website. 

Sterling is alleged to have told a female friend — in a recorded conversation that was released over the weekend by TMZ and Deadspin — not to bring black friends to Clippers games, resulting in national outrage. The NBA will hold a press conference Tuesday to make an announcement about its investigation.

Those inside the sport were still working out how to make appropriate protest gestures on the court. According to Yahoo! Sports, Clippers players are considering a bigger statement for Tuesday’s Game 5 on their home floor.

As the Clippers warmed up for Game 4 on Sunday, players dumped their team-issued warmup jackets in a pile at midcourt and wore their red T-shirts inside out, with the logos hidden.

The Clippers also wore black socks Sunday. The Dallas Mavericks wanted to express their solidarity, according to the Dallas Star-Telegram, but don’t have black socks among their team gear.

With AP