NEW YORK -- Umaasa si Dick Parsons na magiging maikli ang kanyang panahon sa pamamahala sa Los Angeles Clippers, kahit na handa siyang manatili ng mas mahabang panahon.
Ang paghihiwalay ng prangkisa kay Donald Sterling para sa bagong may-ari ay mangangaila-ngan ng matinding laban.
Ngunit alam ni Parsons na ito ay angkop lamang.
“This is an issue that’s actually bigger than just the Clippers, bigger than just the NBA in my judgment,’’ wika ni Parsons. “The whole world is kind of watching how, frankly, we as a country navigate our way through this crisis. So if I can help, I’m happy to try.’’
Pinili ng NBA si Parsons, 66-anyos na dating Citigroup chairman at da-ting Time Warner chairman at CEO, bilang interim CEO ng Clippers.
“I think it’s a very good hire for us,’’ sabi ni Doc Rivers, ang Clippers coach at senior vice president of basketball operations.
Si Parsons ang ma-ngangasiwa sa pagpapatakbo ng prangkisa at dadalo sa owners meetings habang pinipilit ng NBA si Sterling na ibenta ang Clippers matapos patawan ng lifetime ban bunga ng racist remarks nito.
Habang hindi puwedeng umeksena si Sterling at nagsumite si team presi-dent Andy Roeser ng indefinite leave of absence, nagtutulong ang NBA at ang Clippers para makahanap ng gigiya sa prangkisa katuwang si Rivers.
“They’ve done a great job,’’ ani Rivers. “I trust the league in this so well. They’re smarter than me in this. I don’t have a lot to say, to be honest, and it’s because I don’t think I should have a lot to say in it.’’
Nakipagkita si Parsons kay Commissioner Adam Silver noong Lunes at tinanggap ang nasabing posisyon noong Huwebes.