Monday, 9 June 2014

He will go ahead with $1B lawsuit against NBA





  • NBA commissioner: "He's unsold his club several times over the years"

  • Earlier, Sterling had agreed to the sale to Steve Ballmer




(CNN) -- The deal is off. The suit is on.


Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is withdrawing his support for the sale of his team, and is asking his lawyer to go ahead with a $1 billion lawsuit against the NBA, according to multiple media reports.


"From the onset, I did not want to sell the Los Angeles Clippers," Sterling said in a letter obtained by ESPN.com.


Referring to the NBA commissioner, Sterling added, "I believe that Adam Silver acted in haste by illegally ordering the forced sale of the Clippers, banning me for life from the NBA and imposing the fine. ... The action taken by Adam Silver and the NBA constitutes a violation of my rights and fly in the face of the freedoms that are afforded to all Americans."









The NBA's suspension and $2.5-million fine for Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling sent shockwaves through the sports world, but it's not the first time a league has cracked down on a team owner.The NBA's suspension and $2.5-million fine for Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling sent shockwaves through the sports world, but it's not the first time a league has cracked down on a team owner.



Bleacher Report has dubbed Mark Cuban the "King of NBA fines. The notoriously vocal Dallas Mavericks owner has been forced to pay more than $1.8 million in fines since he bought the team in 2000, many of them for colorful language and criticism of referees.Bleacher Report has dubbed Mark Cuban the "King of NBA fines. The notoriously vocal Dallas Mavericks owner has been forced to pay more than $1.8 million in fines since he bought the team in 2000, many of them for colorful language and criticism of referees.



Former Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott was suspended from Major League Baseball in 1993 and 1996 for several controversial comments, among them racial epithets against players. In a 1996 interview, she said this about Adolf Hitler: "Everybody knows that he was good at the beginning, but he just went too far." She was forced to sell her controlling interest of the Reds in 1999.Former Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott was suspended from Major League Baseball in 1993 and 1996 for several controversial comments, among them racial epithets against players. In a 1996 interview, she said this about Adolf Hitler: "Everybody knows that he was good at the beginning, but he just went too far." She was forced to sell her controlling interest of the Reds in 1999.



Before the announcement about Sterling's suspension, Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor was the only owner suspended in the NBA in 68 years. The league suspended Taylor in 2000 for a season after the Timberwolves made a secret deal with a star player to circumvent salary cap rules. Now, Taylor is chairman of the NBA board of governors, which Commissioner Adam Silver has asked to vote on stripping Sterling's ownership of the Clippers.Before the announcement about Sterling's suspension, Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor was the only owner suspended in the NBA in 68 years. The league suspended Taylor in 2000 for a season after the Timberwolves made a secret deal with a star player to circumvent salary cap rules. Now, Taylor is chairman of the NBA board of governors, which Commissioner Adam Silver has asked to vote on stripping Sterling's ownership of the Clippers.



The NFL suspended San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. for his role in a racketeering scandal tied to riverboat casino licenses. DeBartolo pleaded guilty in 1998 to felony charges of failing to report an extortion case, according to Bleacher Report. By 2000 he was forced to cede control of the team to his sister.The NFL suspended San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. for his role in a racketeering scandal tied to riverboat casino licenses. DeBartolo pleaded guilty in 1998 to felony charges of failing to report an extortion case, according to Bleacher Report. By 2000 he was forced to cede control of the team to his sister.



As former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt's bitter divorce became a cloud over the franchise, his financial turmoil forced Major League Baseball to take over the day-to-day operations of the team in 2011. League Commissioner Bud Selig accused McCourt of "looting" the club of $190 million to fund an extravagant lifestyle. McCourt filed for bankruptcy later that year. During bankruptcy proceedings, McCourt agreed to sell the team under a bidding process.As former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt's bitter divorce became a cloud over the franchise, his financial turmoil forced Major League Baseball to take over the day-to-day operations of the team in 2011. League Commissioner Bud Selig accused McCourt of "looting" the club of $190 million to fund an extravagant lifestyle. McCourt filed for bankruptcy later that year. During bankruptcy proceedings, McCourt agreed to sell the team under a bidding process.



The late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was suspended from baseball for making illegal campaign contributions to Richard Nixon in 1974. He was banned for life in 1990 after paying a gambler $40,000 to get damaging information about a player, but Major League Baseball reinstated him three years later.The late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner was suspended from baseball for making illegal campaign contributions to Richard Nixon in 1974. He was banned for life in 1990 after paying a gambler $40,000 to get damaging information about a player, but Major League Baseball reinstated him three years later.



The NBA said Miami Heat owner Micky Arison had been fined in 2011 for posting about the league's collective bargaining process on Twitter. The amount of the fine was not disclosed, but several media reports said it was $500,000.The NBA said Miami Heat owner Micky Arison had been fined in 2011 for posting about the league's collective bargaining process on Twitter. The amount of the fine was not disclosed, but several media reports said it was $500,000.



The NBA slapped Aubrey McClendon, partial owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder, with a $250,000 fine in 2007 after he told an Oklahoma newspaper that he hoped to move the team, then known as the Seattle SuperSonics, to Oklahoma.The NBA slapped Aubrey McClendon, partial owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder, with a $250,000 fine in 2007 after he told an Oklahoma newspaper that he hoped to move the team, then known as the Seattle SuperSonics, to Oklahoma.



The NBA fined former Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss $25,000 and suspended him for two games in 2007 after his conviction on a misdemeanor drunk driving charge. Buss died in 2013.The NBA fined former Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss $25,000 and suspended him for two games in 2007 after his conviction on a misdemeanor drunk driving charge. Buss died in 2013.



The outspoken CNN founder and former Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner was suspended for a year in 1977 for negotiating a deal with a player who was under contract to play for the San Francisco Giants. The outspoken CNN founder and former Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner was suspended for a year in 1977 for negotiating a deal with a player who was under contract to play for the San Francisco Giants.




Team owners behaving badly

Team owners behaving badly

Team owners behaving badly

Team owners behaving badly

Team owners behaving badly

Team owners behaving badly

Team owners behaving badly

Team owners behaving badly

Team owners behaving badly

Team owners behaving badly

Team owners behaving badly



Team owners behaving badlyTeam owners behaving badly










After a recording of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling making racist remarks was released in April 2014, he was fined and banned from NBA games for life. But he's not the only well-known figure who has served as a lighting rod for discussion on race and identity.After a recording of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling making racist remarks was released in April 2014, he was fined and banned from NBA games for life. But he's not the only well-known figure who has served as a lighting rod for discussion on race and identity.



The Washington Redskins team name and logo got heightened visibility when President Barack Obama and high-profile sportscasters Bob Costas and Christine Brennan spoke out against it in 2013. Team owner Dan Snyder insists the team's name is part of a tradition and is "not an issue." The Washington Redskins team name and logo got heightened visibility when President Barack Obama and high-profile sportscasters Bob Costas and Christine Brennan spoke out against it in 2013. Team owner Dan Snyder insists the team's name is part of a tradition and is "not an issue."



Rancher Cliven Bundy made news in 2014 for his battle with the federal government and his comments that implied blacks would have been better off in slavery. In an interview with CNN's "New Day," he said he is not a racist. Rancher Cliven Bundy made news in 2014 for his battle with the federal government and his comments that implied blacks would have been better off in slavery. In an interview with CNN's "New Day," he said he is not a racist.



TV personality and chef Paula Deen lost her sponsors and her Food Network show in 2013 after she admitted to use of the "n-word" and botched an apology. A racial discrimination charge against her was later dropped, and she is in the midst of a comeback, as she continues to spur controversy with her comments. TV personality and chef Paula Deen lost her sponsors and her Food Network show in 2013 after she admitted to use of the "n-word" and botched an apology. A racial discrimination charge against her was later dropped, and she is in the midst of a comeback, as she continues to spur controversy with her comments.



Actor LL Cool J and musician Brad Paisley collaborated on the song "Accidental Racist" that was largely panned by critics for being too simplistic in how it discussed American racial history. Actor LL Cool J and musician Brad Paisley collaborated on the song "Accidental Racist" that was largely panned by critics for being too simplistic in how it discussed American racial history.



Protesters hold signs in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012, ahead of the high court's hearing of arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin. In 2013, the court ruled on the constitutionality of the school's consideration of race in admissions. Protesters hold signs in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012, ahead of the high court's hearing of arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin. In 2013, the court ruled on the constitutionality of the school's consideration of race in admissions.



Miley Cyrus made twerking a household term after her controversial performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards with Robin Thicke. Critics accused her of appropriating hip-hop culture and outraged parents whose children once knew her for her kid-friendly Hannah Montana character. Miley Cyrus made twerking a household term after her controversial performance at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards with Robin Thicke. Critics accused her of appropriating hip-hop culture and outraged parents whose children once knew her for her kid-friendly Hannah Montana character.



Nina Davuluri became the first winner of Indian descent when she won the 2014 Miss America Competition and drew headlines when her win spurred racist reactions online. Nina Davuluri became the first winner of Indian descent when she won the 2014 Miss America Competition and drew headlines when her win spurred racist reactions online.



Sebastien De La Cruz, known as San Antonio's Little Mariachi, sang the national anthem before an NBA finals game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat in 2013. When some questioned his citizenship and mariachi outfit, it sparked defense of the young singer from notables such as actress Eva Longoria.Sebastien De La Cruz, known as San Antonio's Little Mariachi, sang the national anthem before an NBA finals game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat in 2013. When some questioned his citizenship and mariachi outfit, it sparked defense of the young singer from notables such as actress Eva Longoria.



In 2013, stop-and-frisk became a major issue in the New York mayoral campaign, and additional discussion was prompted with the George Zimmerman trial and movies such as "Fruitvale Station" that highlighted the issue.In 2013, stop-and-frisk became a major issue in the New York mayoral campaign, and additional discussion was prompted with the George Zimmerman trial and movies such as "Fruitvale Station" that highlighted the issue.



In July 2013, George Zimmerman was acquitted in the killing of Trayvon Martin, sparking outrage in response to the verdict and later for a juror getting a book deal to discuss the case. After backlash, the book offer was revoked. In July 2013, George Zimmerman was acquitted in the killing of Trayvon Martin, sparking outrage in response to the verdict and later for a juror getting a book deal to discuss the case. After backlash, the book offer was revoked.



Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff, has opened up discussion about identity, equality and faith with his comments and actions. Pope Francis, the first Latin American and Jesuit pontiff, has opened up discussion about identity, equality and faith with his comments and actions.



In a highly publicized move, Sasheer Zamata was hired as a performer on "Saturday Night Live" in early 2014 after an outcry about the show's lack of diversity and not having a black female cast member in six years. In a highly publicized move, Sasheer Zamata was hired as a performer on "Saturday Night Live" in early 2014 after an outcry about the show's lack of diversity and not having a black female cast member in six years.




Stories that sparked discussions on race

Stories that sparked discussions on race

Stories that sparked discussions on race

Stories that sparked discussions on race

Stories that sparked discussions on race

Stories that sparked discussions on race

Stories that sparked discussions on race

Stories that sparked discussions on race

Stories that sparked discussions on race

Stories that sparked discussions on race

Stories that sparked discussions on race

Stories that sparked discussions on race

Stories that sparked discussions on race






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In the news: A conversation about race In the news: A conversation about race



CNN has reached out to both the Sterling camp and the NBA for comment.


It is precisely such a move that had Silver wary of the litigious Sterling.


"He's unsold his club several times over the years," Silver told CNN's Rachel Nichols in an exclusive interview this week.


"There's well-noted incidents in the league when he was right there at a closing and at the last minute decided not to sell."


Sterling, 80, has been embroiled in controversy since a recording of a conversation with friend V. Stiviano revealed he made a series of racist comments.


The comments spawned outrage among NBA players, executives and fans. The commissioner fined Sterling $2.5 million and pushed to terminate all of his ownership rights in the franchise.


Almost two weeks ago, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer laid down a $2 billion offer to buy the Clippers. Sterling's estranged wife and co-owner of team, Shelly, agreed to sell the franchise to Ballmer. Sterling had agreed to the sale.


CNN's Dave Alsup and Kevin Conlon contributed to this report



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