- The Washington Times - Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Oprah Winfrey gave some glib comments on the Donald Sterling fiasco, saying the now-banned Los Angeles Clippers owner ought to know better that times have changed.

“All I gotta say is, we’re all off the plantation,” she told TMZ in New York on Wednesday. “The plantation days are over.”

Ms. Winfrey also confirmed that she wasn’t interested in buying out the Clippers team — but that former basketball legend Magic Johnson might be, TMZ reported.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a lifetime ban to Mr. Sterling on Tuesday, and handed down a $2.5 million fine, following a media firestorm sparked by his recorded comments that painted blacks in a poor light. Mr. Sterling is also being pressured to sell his basketball team.

Mr. Silver said he will do “everything in my power” to press the NBA’s board of governors to force the sale of the Clippers. What’s needed is a thumbs-up from three-quarter of the league’s owners, which Mr. Silver said he “fully” expects to get.

Mr. Sterling could still fight the forced sale in court, however.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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