A PYMNTS Company

US: Ousted Clippers owner hires antitrust lawyer

By  |  May 18, 2014

Reports say ousted Clippers basketball team owner Donald Sterling, who was banned for life from the NBA following leaked audio of his racist remarks, will not exit the scene quietly and has hired a famed antitrust lawyer to possibly sue the NBA over a forced sale of the team.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    Sterling has reportedly brought on Maxwell Blecher as his representative; Blecher has sent a letter, reports say, to NBA executive vice president and general counsel Rick Buchanan threatening to file a lawsuit against the NBA.

    Reports say the letter argues Sterling has not violated any NBA constitutional rules, and that his “due process rights” have been violated.

    The NBA voted to ban Sterling for life and require him to pay a fine of $2.5 million after four days of investigations following the leaked audio.

    Experts had hypothesized that Sterling could file an antitrust lawsuit against the NBA for a forced sale of the Clippers, possibly undervaluing the team.

    Blecher is a founding partner of Blecher Collins Pepperman & Joye.

    Full content: Sports Illustrated

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.