Donald Sterling doesn't want to sell his team; Lawsuit is on

Donald Sterling

Donald Sterling has pulled his support from inking the deal to sell the Los Angeles Clippers team. A negotiation between co-owner and his wife Shelly Sterling and Former Microsoft CEO Steve Blamer happened last week. He has decided to fight for his rights and go on with the $1 billion federal lawsuit on the league, his attorney said.

Monday night Donald Sterling issued a one page statement titled “the team is not for sale” and also mentioned that right from the beginning he never wanted to sell the team he has owned for the past 33 years. Reports surfaced last week that Sterling had agreed to sign the deal negotiated between his wife and Balmer, but as per his attorneys he had agreed to do so only when his differences with the league were resolved.

Shelly Sterling had agreed on a deal to sell the team after the NBA had announced to oust Donald as an owner, after his racist remarks on her were made public. The $1 billion federal lawsuit alleges the league of making a decision to ban Donald Sterling for life by relying on an “illegal” recording of him making racist remarks to his girlfriend in private. It also states that the NBA has violated antitrust laws by fining the Clippers ownership $2.5 million.

Individuals close to negotiations, who did not want to be revealed, said that Donald Sterling resisted from signing the deal when he learnt that the NBA had no intentions of revoking his lifetime ban from the league or his fine. "I have decided that I must fight to protect my rights. While my position may not be popular, I believe that my rights to privacy and the preservation of my rights to due process should not be trampled. I love the team and have dedicated 33 years of my life to the organization. I intend to fight to keep the team,” Sterling said.

The deal between Shelly Sterling and Steve Blamer would be a record breaking one, if approved by other NBA owners & signed by Donald Sterling. The terms of the deal state that 10% i.e., 200 million dollars would be given to a charitable foundation that would be fronted by her, while she and Steve Balmer would be co-chairs of a foundation which targets under-privileged families, minorities, battered women and youth of the city.

As per the deal, Shelly Sterling would be given the title of owner emeritus and could be given responsibilities such as floor seats, additional seats at game and the parking facilities. The deal also allows Balmer to buy the 10% stake held by Shelly Sterling upon her death.

However with Donald Sterling refusing to sign the deal, a long summer filled with court trips, negotiations and deals lie ahead for the league.