In his first public interview since his racist comments last month, Clippers Owner Donald Sterling tells CNN’s Anderson Cooper that he hopes this recent controversy does not mar his 33-year ownership of the team. Sterling: “I'm a good member who made a mistake and I'm apologizing and I'm asking for forgiveness. 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?” Watch the interview here.

Other highlights of the interview set to air tonight on CNN:

Sterling: “When I listen to that tape, I don't even know how I can say words like that.”
Cooper: "You're saying you were set up?"
Sterling: "Well yes, I was baited. I mean, that's not the way I talk. I don't talk about people for one thing, ever. I talk about ideas and other things. I don't talk about people.”
Sterling, on Magic Johnson: "I don't think he's a good example for the children of Los Angeles" (Mult., 5/12).

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER headline: "Donald Sterling's Bizarre, Non-Apology Interview With Anderson Cooper." 

Meanwhile, Rochelle Sterling said she was prepared to fight any attempt by the NBA to take away her stake in the team, telling Barbara Walters, "I will fight that decision" (ABCNEWS.com, 5/11). Excerpts of her interview aired on ABC's "GMA," with more to come on "World News" tonight at 6:30pm ET (THE DAILY).

MLS has a press conference today in Manhattan where it will announce new media-rights deals “that will bring in far more revenue and lead to a consistent, streamlined television schedule.” The eight-year deals with ESPN, Fox and Univision are priced five times higher than the average annual value of the league’s current media deals. The combined average rights fee of $90M per year “represents a stark increase” from the $18M annual average the league receives in its current deals with ESPN, NBC and Univision (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/12 issue).

The Big Ten today begins its spring meetings in Chicago, where conference Commissioner Jim Delany "will hold discussions about the new model of NCAA Division I governance proposed on April 24." Also on the agenda are the "latest concerning Northwestern football players being granted the right to unionize," the stipend issue and "typical league issues" such as the conference's budget and TV contracts (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 5/12).

The ACC starts its spring AD meetings today as well, and "future league scheduling figures to be the main order of business" in Amelia Island, Fla. The "biggest question they'll address is whether the league stays at eight conference games for football or moves to nine." The ADs also will "discuss a potential change to the NCAA's governance structure." The meetings wrap up Thursday (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 5/12).

Meanwhile, today at the Conference USA meetings in Destin, Fla., four competing schools will learn the outcome of their bids to host the league's '15 men's and women's basketball tournaments. Louisiana Tech, UAB, Southern Miss and UTEP will make presentations. The tournaments "were held in El Paso this past season" (SHREVEPORT TIMES, 5/10).

EPL club Aston Villa Owner Randy Lerner today "declared his intention to put the club up for sale" after "a lowly 15th-place finish" to the season. Lerner said, "The last several seasons have been week-in, week-out battles. ... Now is the time for me to look for new ownership" (London INDEPENDENT, 5/12). Lerner has retained Bank of America Merrill Lynch to advise on the sale of the club he bought for US$106M in '06 (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 5/12).

Pepsi today announced it is "pairing singers and filmmakers to release a visual album that celebrates soccer" during the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and the album will be a "collection of 11 anthem-like songs and short films." Spike Lee, Timbaland, Idris Elba and Kelly Rowland are some of the artists whose work is featured on "Beats of the Beautiful Game," to be released June 10. The album will be released through Capitol Music Group's independent label, Caroline (AP, 5/12).

A group of sports promoters called Buffalo Sportz Corridor today is expected to unveil a "highly ambitious proposal" for a "massive athletic complex on the sprawling vacant land" in Buffalo's Outer Harbor area. The project "would create one of the country's biggest tournament-driven sports and training facilities on the city's waterfront." The concept includes a new domed stadium for the Bills, a convention center, sports outlet mall, a Buffalo Sports HOF and restaurants. The venture says that it is backed by Florida-based Sports Facilities Advisory (BUFFALO NEWS, 5/12).

Sources said that Boston's WEEI-FM today "will announce changes to its midday program," with "Mut & Merloni" to be replaced by "Middays with MFB." Former MLBer Lou Merloni "will remain host and will be joined by two new co-hosts" in former NFLer Christian Fauria and Tim Benz, who is making the jump from ESPN Radio 970 Pittsburgh. Mike Mutnansky, who has been paired with Merloni since February '11, "will be reassigned" (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/12).

The Biloxi City Council Friday voted unanimously to "cancel its project management contract with Yates Construction" for the $36M MGM Park project, which will house the Double-A Southern League Huntsville Stars next season. The city originally decided to "separately bid each phase" of construction "rather than drafting specifications for the entire project." The council now “will bid the entire project” (Biloxi SUN HERALD, 5/10).

Meanwhile, the Richmond Economic Development Authority today will hold a meeting during which city Mayor Dwight Jones’ administration has said that “it hopes to present a finished” Shockoe Bottom ballpark plan for the Double-A Eastern League Flying Squirrels to the City Council (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 5/12).

Relevent Sports has moved the July 26 Real Madrid-Inter Milan friendly from Univ. of Phoenix Stadium to the Univ. of California-Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium “citing unforeseen circumstances” (AZCENTRAL.com, 5/9).

The Dodgers today will start testing the “walk-through metal detectors at several entrances of Dodger Stadium.” A team spokesperson said that they will also be tested Wednesday and “at different times throughout the season in preparation of their full-time use next season” (L.A. TIMES, 5/11).

The 80,000-seat grandstands at Kansas Speedway were "nearly full" when the lights on the track's backstretch "went dark" during Saturday night's 5-Hour Energy 400. It was the venue's first NASCAR Sprint Cup night race (K.C. STAR, 5/11).

The Single-A Midwest League Dayton Dragons on Saturday reached their 1,000th consecutive sold out date at Fifth Third Field (Drayton Dragons).

Longtime NYRA announcer Tom Durkin said that he will "leave the booth" after the Aug. 31 races, the last Sunday of the Saratoga meet (TIMESUNION.com, 4/10).

Signs of the Upfront: “Next season with the NFL Thursday Night Football, CBS will once again be the best game in town” – Text of a full page CBS ad in the N.Y. Times under header, “The winner and still champion.” NBC runs full pager in the Times under its Sunday Night Football logo noting, “The #1 show in primetime,” with the schedule for the upcoming season (THE DAILY).

“No student-athlete that I’ve ever been around has walked into my office and said, you know what, I’m starving. I’m not being fed enough” – UConn AD Warde Manuel, on comments from basketball player Shabazz Napier about starving at night (HARTFORD COURANT, 5/9).

“I know some companies pay a lot of money to have exclusivity. But really? For one day, especially for a cause like this, I’m glad that they changed that” – Nationals LF Nate McLouth, whose mother had breast cancer, on MLB loosening its rules surrounding pink equipment on Mother’s Day (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 5/11).

“I’m looking at it from the viewpoint of the area, but it’s also very important for me that Jacksonville is vibrant and growing. The football team needs that for a civic reason” – Jaguars Owner Shahid Khan, on the city attracting young professionals that will drive growth (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 5/10).

"I was more surprised that Miami didn't go for the kill. ... It was almost like they were more excited that Jay Z and Beyonce were sitting courtside then they were they could have finished off this series" – ESPN's Bill Simmons, on the Heat losing Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3 to the Nets ("Heat-Nets," ABC, 5/10).

Agent Ralph Cindrich: “Michael Sam's draft reaction & celebration did nothing to help him in NFL & Locker room. Ill advised all around.”

ESPN’s Alexi Lalas: “Just finished taping ESPN World Cup group previews in London. Off to Heathrow and back to NYC tonight for Autism Speaks event.”

Writer Jeff Bradley: “Dear sports writing community. Please refrain from telling us how awful work conditions are in Brazil.#WorkIsGood”

The Guardian’s Owen Gibson: “No word yet on what Lerner is going to do with the Villa crest he had tattooed on his ankle.”

If you see a tweet we will not want to miss, send it to us at editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com.

NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson will be presented the "Key to the City" during a Charlotte City Council meeting. Johnson is being recognized for his many philanthropic efforts throughout the region.

Basketball HOF James Worthy will be given the Ambassador Award of Excellence by the L.A. Sports & Entertainment Commission.

Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome is scheduled to arrive at Pimlico Race Course this afternoon after a charter flight from Louisville.

A family of Western burrowing owls is delaying New Mexico State Univ.'s "plan to replace Aggie Memorial Stadium's grass field with artificial turf." Officials are "waiting for the birds' hatching period to end before fully installing turf" (LAS CRUCES SUN-NEWS, 5/12).

Friday’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “Famous Books.”

“It was published March 26, 1830; a very popular work with the same name premiered March 24, 2011.”

NBC’s Jimmy Fallon: “Last night was the first round of the NFL Draft. … Tense night for quarterback Johnny Manziel. … It was tense for him because everyone expected him to go pretty high in the draft, but he fell to twenty-two. … The NFL commissioner was a little confused when saying Johnny Manziel’s name.” A video aired of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell standing at the podium of the NFL Draft announcing, “With the 22nd pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the wickedly talented Adele Dazeem.” More Fallon: “I also want to say congrats to our pal Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. … I just hope he does well. You hate to hear some guy in the crowd be like, ‘You suck, Clinton-Dix.’ … Clinton-Dix is a Packer, only way that can get better if he was a tight end” (“The Tonight Show,” NBC, 5/9).

CBS’ David Letterman: “Mayor de Blasio has named a street after Mariano Rivera in the Bronx … because he’s retiring. I just heard today … over on Ninth Avenue, they’re naming a speed bump after me. … You know what’s going on over at Radio City Musical Hall: The annual NFL Draft. … I miss the old days when the NFL was all volunteer. … This is all I know about professional sports: You always draft the best athlete. That’s the rule of thumb in sports. They got the idea from the Kardashian girls” (“Late Show,” CBS, 5/9).

The "Weekend Update" news segment from NBC's "SNL" this weekend featured cast member Colin Jost reporting, "Dennis Rodman said this week that Kim Jong-un did not have his own uncle executed as was reported last year, and if you don’t believe Dennis Rodman, good call" ("SNL," ABC, 5/10).

Friday night’s Top Ten list was “Top Ten Broadway Show Misfortunes.” Letterman said the award-winning Broadway musical "Matilda" has "two years in a row won ‘Best Parasitic Production'" after a cast member has "come down with head lice” (“Late Show,” CBS, 5/9).

10) “Rocky sprained wrist while punching meat.”
9) “During actor shortage, audience forced to choose guys or dolls.”
8) “Stagehand made eye contact with Liza Minelli.”
7) “Earwigs at ‘Hedwig.’”
6) “Bird strike forced Mary Poppins to land in Hudson.”
5) “Phantom injured other side of face.”
4) “’Kiss Me Kate’ cold sore epidemic.”
3) “Jersey boys stuck in traffic on George Washington Bridge.”
2) “You’re lookin’ at one right now.”
1) “Donald Sterling heckling ‘The Wiz.’”

“What is ‘The Book of Mormon?’”