NBA News Wire

Sterling rejects NBA fine, vows to sue

Alan Draper profile picture
Sports Editor
Disclosure
We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.

Banned Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling is digging in his heels for a fight with the NBA.

In a letter sent to the league on Thursday by his attorney, Sterling stated that he is not planning to pay the $2.5 million fine imposed by commissioner Adam Silver for his racist comments.

“We reject your demand for payment,” attorney Maxwell M. Blecher wrote to NBA executive vice president and general counsel Rick Buchanan, according to SI.com.

Sterling was responding to a May 14 letter sent by Buchanan informing him that he must pay the $2.5 million fine.

Blecher also said Sterling’s actions do not merit any kind of punishment, that his client’s due process rights were violated and that the controversy “will be adjudicated.”

Silver banned Sterling for life from the NBA and fined him for his racial comments to a female assistant that were first exposed by TMZ. Silver also asked the league’s team owners to vote to force a sale of the Clippers.

In an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper on Monday, Sterling said he “made a terrible, terrible mistake” with his racial comments in his attempt at an apology. Sterling’s wife, Shelly, also has expressed her willingness to fight to retain her stake in the team.

Blecher, an anti-trust lawyer, previously represented Sterling when the Clippers planned to move from San Diego to Los Angeles and also served as a lead attorney in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum’s successful antitrust suit against the NFL.

Alan is an expert gambling writer who works as one of the chief editors for Basketball Insiders. He has been covering online gambling and sports betting for over 8 years, having written for the likes of Sportlens, Compare.bet, The Sports Daily, 90min, and TopRatedCasinos.co.uk. His particular specialisms include US online casinos and gambling regulations, and soccer and basketball betting. Based in London, Alan holds an MA in English Literature and is a passionate supporter of Chelsea FC.

Trending Now