Magic Johnson reportedly wants to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers franchise in the wake of owner Donald Sterling's purported racist rant. Johnson and his financial backers are "100 percent" planning to make a move to buy the team, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
The NBA is still conducting its investigation of Sterling's purported racist remarks, and it's uncertain what -- if any -- disciplinary action the league will take. One possible outcome is the Clippers ownership changing hands. If the Clippers franchise does become available, Johnson is reportedly planning to make a bid for it.
"Magic Johnson and his billionaire backers, the Guggenheim Partners, want a chance to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers, league sources told Yahoo Sports," Wojnarowski wrote on Monday. "'Magic's absolutely interested,' one source closely connected to Johnson's business interests told Yahoo Sports on Sunday night."
A league official involved in the buying and selling of franchises confirmed Johnson's intent to purchase the team.
"This is 100 percent Magic's plan," the official told Wojnarowski.
NBA owners also want Sterling out, according to Yahoo Sports. If Sterling doesn't acquiesce, the owners may look for another way to remove him.
"If the owners can't force [Sterling] to sell, they need to be held accountable to change the bylaws so they can," one member of the NBA's Board of Governors told Wojnarowski on Sunday. "A fine and suspension is meaningless, and that'll be seen as a lack of acceptance that the league and the owners are responsible for this a------."
Johnson, whose name was mentioned into the audiotape, and the Guggenheim Partners already own the Los Angeles Dodgers.
