Donald Sterling has indicated he plans on fighting the NBA tooth and nail on their attempt to oust him as owner of the LA Clippers.
Part 1 of Sterling vs the NBA includes an attempt by his attorney to get an extension on his response to the league on the ban that was imposed by commissioner Adam Silver.
SI.com has learned that attorney Maxwell Blecher, on behalf of Clippers owner Donald Sterling, demanded tonight the NBA give his client three months to respond to the NBA’s charge from early in the day. The NBA, sources say, will reject the demand. The league has given Sterling until May 27 to respond to the charge, which asserts that Sterling engaged “in conduct that has damaged and continues to damage the NBA.” The May 27th deadline is consistent with the NBA constitution and procedures assented to by Sterling. The NBA, sources say, regard Blecher’s request for a three-month delay as unreasonable. May 27th is a month after Sterling’s infamous recording became public. The league also asserts it is crucial that there be clear title on the Clippers ownership prior to the start of the 2014-15 season.
According to Sports Law attorney Michael McCann, Sterling will not appeal to the league for sympathy but his fellow owners – playing on the fact they may be placed (or could see themselves placed) in the same position as him for views expressed in private.
Expect the league to put all of their legal power and flex all of their influential muscles to get Sterling out once and for all, because a failure to jeopardizes the overall health and image of the league.