The National Basketball Association announced today it had resolved questions over the ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers, clearing the way for the team to be sold to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer if the deal is approved by the league’s Board of Governors.
In light of the agreement, the league has withdrawn its effort to terminate Donald and Shelly Sterling’s ownership of the team and canceled its planned June 3 vote on whether they should be forced to sell the franchise.
However, it was also reported today by his attorney that Donald Sterling plans to file a $1 billion federal lawsuit against the National Basketball Association alleging he is being illegally forced out as owner of the franchise.
Attorney Max Blecher confirmed to multiple media outlets that the lawsuit could be filed as early as today, alleging breach of contract, violation of constitutional rights and violation of anti-trust laws.
The anticipated lawsuit added yet another twist to the ever-changing drama over the team’s future. Sterling’s wife, Shelly, confirmed early today that she had reached a $2 billion agreement to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
Blecher told ESPN the planned lawsuit against the NBA had “nothing to do” with the potential sale, but said Donald Sterling, 80, is considering filing additional legal action against his wife over her negotiations to unload the team.
Adding to the confusion over who was controlling the team were reports that Sterling had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or declared mentally incapacitated. Questions about his mental health appeared to clear the way for Shelly Sterling to sell the team on behalf of the Sterling Family Trust, but Blecher insisted to ESPN that Donald Sterling “is far from mentally incompetent.”
According to her attorneys, Shelly Sterling was acting under her authority as the sole trustee of the trust, which owns the Clippers, when she signed a binding contract with Ballmer on May 29.
