NBA charges Sterling, sets hearing to end ownership
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, May 21, 2014
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NBA charges Sterling, sets up June 3 hearing. |
The NBA charged Donald Sterling with damaging the league and its teams with his racist comments, setting up a June 3 hearing after which owners could vote to terminate his ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers.
The league also said the banned owner has engaged in other conduct that has impaired its relationship with fans and merchandising partners.
"All of these acts provide grounds for termination under several provisions of the NBA constitution and related agreements," the league said in a statement on Monday.
Sterling was banned for life and fined US$2.5 million by Commissioner Adam Silver after the release of a recording in which he made racist remarks. He has until May 27 to respond to the charge, and the right to appear at the hearing and make a presentation before the board of governors. He has the right to a lawyer at the hearing, but strict courtroom rules of evidence would not apply.
Sterling's attorney, Maxwell Blecher, asked for a three-month delay in response to the charge, a person with knowledge of the situation said, confirming a report by SI.com. The league will not grant it.
Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, the board chairman, will preside over the hearing in New York, which is planned for two days before the start of the NBA Finals. If three-quarters of the other 29 owners vote to sustain the charge, Sterling will be forced to sell the team he has owned since 1981.
Silver has said he is confident he has the 23 necessary votes.
Sterling told a female friend, V. Stiviano, not to bring blacks to Clippers games during their conversation that was recorded. Sterling specifically mentioned Magic Johnson, then criticized the NBA Hall of Famer again as a poor role model during a recent interview with CNN.
Meanwhile on the court, Tim Duncan scored 27 points as the San Antonio Spurs took advantage of Serge Ibaka's absence to dominate the paint, beating the Oklahoma City 122-105 in the opener of the Western Conference finals.
Tony Parker did not appear limited by a hamstring injury, scoring 14 points and having 12 assists in 36 minutes.
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