NBA officials are considering filing a counter-suit against Donald Sterling amid allegations the one-time Los Angeles Clippers owner has hired as many as four private investigation firms to "dig up dirt" on league commissioners and owners.
The 81-year-old Sterling announced last week he is suing the NBA for $1 billion over what he considers the violation of his civil rights resulting in the recent sale of the team to tech guru Steve Ballmer in a $2 billion deal brokered by wife Shelly Sterling. It has also been reported that Shelly Sterling has granted the league indemnity against her husband's suit, meaning even if wins his suit against the league any money awarded him would come from the profits ultimately derived from the sale of the team.
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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has stated the league plans to answer Sterling's suit by Aug. 11, with the possibility of a countersuit now being one of their primary options.
The league banned Sterling for life and fined him a maximum $2.5 million several weeks ago after an audio tape emerged of him admonishing a girlfriend "not to bring black people to my games," including NBA legend Magic Johsnon.
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Shelly Sterling is also scheduled to face her ex in a July 7 probate court hearing where if she wins her sale to Ballmer would go through without incident. If the judge sides with Donald Sterling and reinstates him as a franchise trustee, ProBasketball added the league is expected to resort to its original plan to have owners vote Sterling out based on his violation of league bylaws.
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