| Advertisement |
LOS ANGELES, April 28 (UPI) -- CarMax, Virgin America and State Farm are distancing themselves from the LA Clippers in response to owner Donald Sterling's racist remarks. Used car chain CarMax confirmed Monday it would be cutting all ties with the team after a nine year partnership.
Advertisement
"CarMax finds the statements attributed to the Clippers' owner completely unacceptable. These views directly conflict with CarMax's culture of respect for all individuals," a CarMax spokeswoman said in a statement to Huffington Post. "While we have been a proud Clippers sponsor for 9 years and support the team, fans and community, these statements necessitate that CarMax end its sponsorship."
Virgin America also announced they will end their partnership with the Clippers Monday. State Farm has not confirmed that they will be ending their partnership but that they are waiting to hear the results of the NBA investigation.
"State Farm strongly supports and respects diversity and inclusion in its workforce and customers. The remarks attributed to the Clippers’ owner are offensive," State Farm's statement read. "We are monitoring the situation and we’ll continually asses our options."
These sponsors moving away from the LA Clippers come after Sterling was heard on an audio recording telling his biracial girlfriend V. Stiviano that he did not want her to publicly associate with black people.
Magic Johnson, specifically referred to by Sterling in the recording, called for Sterling to sell the team and leave the NBA. President Barack Obama and other public figures also condemned his remarks including Victor Willis who told the Clippers they are not allowed to play his songs at Clipper games.
Sterling, you're banned from playing "Y.M.C.A." or any of my music @LAClippers games. And I mean it! #Clippers #BoycottClippers
— Victor Willis (@victorwillis) April 27, 2014The NBA is authenticating the recording and deciding how to proceed with the appropriate disciplinary action.
