The NBA is looking to oust both Donald and Shelly Sterling as owners of the LA Clippers, in spite of the league's punishment being specifically focused on the 80-year old real estate mogul according to ESPN.com.
While Shelly Sterling, the estranged wife of banned Clippers owner Donald Sterling, has publicly stated her desire to retain the 50 percent ownership interest in the team, league sources told ESPN that the NBA has the legal grounds to get rid of her.
The league's legal team will insist that while Shelly Sterling is entitled to a 50 percent interest in the franchise, her status as a controlling owner was never approved by the board of governors. The league will also rule t that she and team president Andy Roeser, who is on an indefinite leave, were only alternate governors.
On Friday, the legal counsel of Shelly Sterling told ESPN that the wife of the banned Clippers owner was trying to resolve the issue of ownership with the NBA. He also said that they are willing to go to court if they are unsuccessful.
Shelly Sterling has been separated from Donald Sterling for the past few years, and publicly distanced from the octogenarian when the scandal broke about two weeks ago. Her lawyer Paul O'Donnell said of his client: "She's distanced herself from him, she's repudiated his racist statements. He has nothing to do with the team anymore, he can't go to the games. What happens to Donald, happens to Donald. She wants to retain her interests."
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