Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling issued a statement Sunday apologizing for racist statements he made which had resulted in his being banned from the NBA for life.

"Am I entitled to one mistake, am I, after 35 years? I mean, I love my league, I love my partners. Am I entitled to one mistake? It's a terrible mistake, and I'll never do it again. ... I'm not a racist. I made a terrible mistake. I'm here to apologize," the 80-year old Sterling said.

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It was his first public statement since controversy arose over racist comments he made during a recorded conversation with girlfriend V. Stiviano.

In the audio released of the discussion, Sterling could be heard scolding Stiviano for bringing African-Americans to Clippers games and for posting online photos of herself with African-Americans.

The NBA reacted to the recordings by fining Sterling $2.5 million and banning him from the league for life. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver had vowed to use all his powers to pressure Sterling to give up his ownership of the L.A. Clippers.

Meanwhile, Donald Sterling's estranged wife, Shelly Sterling, who has co-owned the team since 1981, issued a statement saying she eventually plans to divorce Sterling and will fight any efforts by the NBA to force her to sell her half of the L.A. Clippers.

It was reported on Wednesday that Mrs. Sterling had hired a law firm to help her as the NBA moves to pressure her husband into giving up his ownership of the team.

In an interview with ABC, Shelly Sterling suggested that Mr. Sterling might be suffering from some form of dementia which may account for his racist comments. There are reports that Sterling is also battling cancer.

However, the NBA said late Sunday that under the league's constitution, if Donald Sterling's controlling interest in the team is terminated by a three-fourths vote of the board, Shelley Sterling's interests are automatically terminated as well. 

It is unclear what effect Donald Sterling's apology will have as the NBA has moved to quickly distance itself from him and has even appointed a new CEO for the L.A. Clippers.

TagsLA Clippers, Donald Sterling