According to a Yahoo sports report by Adrian Wojnarowski, league sources have said that Magic Johnson has expressed interest in buying the Los Angeles Clippers from Donald Sterling with the multi-billion dollar backing of the Guggenheim Partners. They are the same group that aided the NBA Legend in purchasing the Los Angeles Dodgers.
There is no doubt that Magic Johnson, who is a bonafied entrepreneur, would love nothing more than to build a Los Angeles major sports empire with the help of his billion dollar partners. Johnson has made no bones about his intentions to even bring the NFL back to Los Angeles in the past, either through NFL expansion if that comes about, or the availability of purchasing an existing franchise that he could then move to Southern California.
But clearly Magic has his eyes set on grabbing an NBA franchise and putting it under the Johnson/Guggenheim umbrella. Johnson and his business partners reportedly were interested in trying to get their hands on the Los Angeles Lakers after the passing of longtime owner Dr. Jerry Buss, but the Buss family said "no, thank you", to the proposition.
In the end, it would be good for the league if Johnson was able to take ownership of an NBA franchise. Magic is a big reason why the NBA is as popular as it is, and he is one of the more recognizable names and faces of the game. It is kind of ironic that the man who's picture is at the middle of this whirlwind of a scandal could possibly be the man to help the NBA save face.
The NBA really should not have room for racist owners, and in such an image conscious age, the NBA just might be better served with Donald Sterling not being able to own a NBA franchise. Or, if they can't force him to sell his club, this situation should at least promote change in the current bylaws for owners so that the next time a situation arises with any kind of discrimination coming about, whether racial or otherwise, an owner will have to pay the consequences for his actions.
Rumor has it the owners want to separate themselves from Sterling as we speak behind these statements which is a good thing. Couple that sentiment with a show of inclusion by letting Magic Johnson and his ownership group purchase the Los Angeles Clippers, and Adam Silver may actually see his first major crisis put to bed in his short tenure as commisioner. Some kind of action has to be taken in this matter. It is just what the action should be that is the issue.