NEW YORK — The NBA charged Donald Sterling on Monday with damaging the league and its teams with his racist comments, setting up a hearing planned for June 3, after which owners could vote to terminate his ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers.
The league also said the banned owner has engaged in other conduct that has impaired its relationship with fans and merchandising partners.
“All of these acts provide grounds for termination under several provisions of the NBA constitution and related agreements,” the league said in a statement.
Sterling was banned for life and fined $2.5 million by commissioner Adam Silver after the release of a recording in which he made racist remarks. He has until May 27 to respond to the charge, and the right to appear at the hearing and make a presentation in front of the board of governors.
Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor, the chairman of the board, will preside over the hearing, which is planned for two days before the start of the NBA Finals. If three-fourths of the owners vote to sustain the charge, Sterling will be forced to sell the team he has owned since 1981.
Silver has said he is confident he has the votes.
Photo via Twitter/@SInow
