Mandalay Bay ends business relationship with Clippers

The NBA’s lifetime banishment on Tuesday of Donald Sterling as owner of the Los Angeles Clippers was not enough for Mandalay Bay to maintain its business relationship with the team.

Th hotel-casino’s decision also might mean the Clippers’ preseason game scheduled for Oct. 18 against the Denver Nuggets at Mandalay Bay Events Center will not be played in Las Vegas.

Mandalay Bay, which had signage at Clippers home games at Staples Center and also advertised on the team’s broadcasts, has withdrawn its support, joining at least 15 other companies that had been doing business with the team.

A tape of Sterling making racist comments to his girlfriend was released by TMZ on Saturday.

Chuck Bowling, president and CEO of Mandalay Bay, said in a statement Tuesday: “Mandalay Bay finds the comments attributed to Clippers owner Donald Sterling to be shocking and appalling. We have suspended our advertising and sponsorship relationship with the Clippers’ organization as we evaluate our continued association with the team.

“We continue to wish the players, coaches and fans all the best in the playoffs.”

The Clippers have played preseason games at Mandalay Bay each of the past two years. But the 2014 game appears to be in jeopardy given the hotel’s stance, though no decision has been made.