Looks like Donald Sterling will not go quietly into the night, since the embattled Los Angeles Clippers owner is refusing to pay the $2.5 million that he has been fined, and his newly hired attorney has sent a letter to the NBA threatening to sue, ESPN.com reports.
According to SI.com, Sterling's lawyer, Max Blecher, sent a letter to the NBA on Wednesday alleging that the owner's racist rant, which was leaked on TMZ, did not violate the NBA owners' constitution, and thus the $2.5 million fine—which was to be paid this week—would not be paid. Blecher also said that the four-day investigation violated Sterling's "due process rights," and he threatened to sue the NBA if Sterling was not awarded due process.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver not only banned Sterling for life but also issued the $2.5 million fine, the highest fine allowed, for Sterling's racist remarks.
In order for the NBA to initiate a forced sale of the Clippers, a formal letter must be sent by either Silver or any of the 29 other owners. Sterling would have 10 days to respond to the letter, and then a vote would be held, with 75 percent of the owners needing to vote against Sterling in order to force him to sell.
In a recent interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, Sterling said, "I'm a good member who made a mistake. Am I entitled to one mistake, am I, after 35 years? I mean, I love my league, I love my partners. Am I entitled to one mistake? It's a terrible mistake, and I'll never do it again."
While the NBA hashes out the legality involved in separating Sterling from the Clippers, Dick Parsons has been named interim CEO of the franchise.