Donald Sterling asks the girlfriend: 'How Can We Make This Go Away?': Report

While everyone from NBA players to the President have spoken out about the racist comments attributed to Donald Sterling, the Los Angeles Clippers owner reportedly contacted his ex-girlfriend Sunday and, in a far-fetched attempt to quell the controversy, asked her flatly, "How can we make this go away?"

Sources close to Sterling told TMZ that the team owner is keenly aware V. Stiviano is in possession of more than 100 hours of recordings — some of which are extremely damaging to Sterling's reputation. 

It was Stiviano's  Instagram photo (below) of her with NBA legend Magic Johnson that was apparently enough for Sterling to go off on his publicized offensive rant, according to the gossip site.

Stiviano insists that she had nothing to do with the recordings being released to the public.

The sources say Stiviano told Sterling to call her lawyer ... and thereby opened the door to settlement discussions.  It's obvious the incentive for Sterling is to make sure the rest of the tapes never see the light of day. 

TMZ Sports contacted Stiviano's lawyer Mac E. Nehoray ... who had no comment. 

We know Stiviano is extremely upset that the Clippers and Donald Sterling publicly embraced a lawsuit filed by Sterling's wife Shelly against Stivianio, claiming she stole $1.8 million from Donald. 

As for why Stiviano (whom Sterling reportedly showered with the cash and cars) taped so many conversations ... as TMZ Sports reported, she told friends the Clippers owner wanted her to record him and he knew he was being recorded ... partly because he frequently forgot what he said and the tapes refreshed his memory ... at least that's her version of the story, said TMZ.

And on a side note, Stiviano's Instagram page, she constantly tagged photos with "#RandomHouse" and "#Simon&Schuster" ... both large book publishing companies. 

Sources connected with Stiviano tell us ... she is in the process of writing a book "about life" — but she insists it is not about Sterling.

The National Basketball Players Association has demanded Sterling be barred from all playoff games this season. The players also want an accounting of past accusations of racism against Sterling and a guarantee that the league commissioner will work with the association; and assurance the investigation will be conducted swiftly.