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| Associated Press |
Sterling has pulled his support from the deal to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, his attorney confirmed to THR; "The 'deal' is off; the lawsuit is on," said Maxwell Blecher.
Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has pulled his support from a deal to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and will pursue his $1 billion federal lawsuit against the NBA, his attorney said Monday.
"The 'deal' is off; the lawsuit is on," confirmed attorney Maxwell Blecher in an email statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
"We have been instructed to prosecute the lawsuit," said Blecher, according to the Associated Press. He said co-owner Donald Sterling would not be signing off on the deal to sell.
The $2 billion sale was negotiated by his wife, Shelly Sterling, after Donald Sterling's racist remarks to a girlfriend were publicized and the NBA moved to oust him as owner.
The lawsuit alleges the league violated his constitutional rights by relying on information from an "illegal" recording that publicized racist remarks he made to a girlfriend. It also said the league committed a breach of contract by fining Sterling $2.5 million and that it violated antitrust laws by trying to force a sale.
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Shelly Sterling utilized her authority as sole trustee of The Sterling Family Trust, which owns the Clippers, to take bids for the team and ultimately negotiate a deal with Ballmer. The deal would be record-breaking if approved by the NBA's owners.
An individual familiar with the negotiations, who wasn't authorized to speak, publicly said Monday that there were two options for Donald Sterling: to either sign or go to court. But even if he wins in court, he's ultimately going to be paying himself the damages, the individual said, because his wife Shelly Sterling has agreed to indemnify the NBA against all lawsuits, including by her husband.
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Donald Sterling's comments to V. Stiviano included telling her not to bring black people to Clippers games, specifically mentioning Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. They resulted in a storm of outrage from the public and players and even prompted President Barack Obama to comment on what he called Sterling's "incredibly offensive racist statements."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver ultimately decided to ban Donald Sterling for life, fine him millions and began efforts to force Sterling to sell the team. Those efforts ended with Shelly Sterling's deal with Ballmer.
If this deal ultimately goes through, its terms allow Shelly Sterling to remain close to the organization by allowing for up to 10 percent of the team -- or $200 million -- to be spun off into a charitable foundation that she would essentially run.
Shelly Sterling and Ballmer would be co-chairs of the foundation, which would target underprivileged families, battered women, minorities and inner-city youth.
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Under the deal, Shelly Sterling also would get the title of "owner emeritus" and be entitled to continuing perks such as floor seats, additional seats at games and parking.
One of the individuals said the deal also includes conditions that allow Ballmer to buy back the 10 percent portion of the team for a predesignated price upon Shelly Sterling's death.
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"We have been instructed to prosecute the lawsuit," said Blecher, according to the Associated Press. He said co-owner Donald Sterling would not be signing off on the deal to sell.
The $2 billion sale was negotiated by his wife, Shelly Sterling, after Donald Sterling's racist remarks to a girlfriend were publicized and the NBA moved to oust him as owner.
The lawsuit alleges the league violated his constitutional rights by relying on information from an "illegal" recording that publicized racist remarks he made to a girlfriend. It also said the league committed a breach of contract by fining Sterling $2.5 million and that it violated antitrust laws by trying to force a sale.
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Shelly Sterling utilized her authority as sole trustee of The Sterling Family Trust, which owns the Clippers, to take bids for the team and ultimately negotiate a deal with Ballmer. The deal would be record-breaking if approved by the NBA's owners.
An individual familiar with the negotiations, who wasn't authorized to speak, publicly said Monday that there were two options for Donald Sterling: to either sign or go to court. But even if he wins in court, he's ultimately going to be paying himself the damages, the individual said, because his wife Shelly Sterling has agreed to indemnify the NBA against all lawsuits, including by her husband.
EXCLUSIVE
Donald Sterling's comments to V. Stiviano included telling her not to bring black people to Clippers games, specifically mentioning Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. They resulted in a storm of outrage from the public and players and even prompted President Barack Obama to comment on what he called Sterling's "incredibly offensive racist statements."
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver ultimately decided to ban Donald Sterling for life, fine him millions and began efforts to force Sterling to sell the team. Those efforts ended with Shelly Sterling's deal with Ballmer.
If this deal ultimately goes through, its terms allow Shelly Sterling to remain close to the organization by allowing for up to 10 percent of the team -- or $200 million -- to be spun off into a charitable foundation that she would essentially run.
Shelly Sterling and Ballmer would be co-chairs of the foundation, which would target underprivileged families, battered women, minorities and inner-city youth.
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Under the deal, Shelly Sterling also would get the title of "owner emeritus" and be entitled to continuing perks such as floor seats, additional seats at games and parking.
One of the individuals said the deal also includes conditions that allow Ballmer to buy back the 10 percent portion of the team for a predesignated price upon Shelly Sterling's death.
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