NBA TAPE TWIST
Sterling: Can’t bounce me for ‘illegal’ recording
Disgraced LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling is trying a new tactic to cling to the team — claiming Tuesday that the NBA can’t ban him because his racist statements were illegally recorded “during an inflamed lovers’ quarrel in which he was clearly distraught.”
Sterling’s attorney argued in a 32page response sent to the league that the sanctions against him are based on a secretly made recording of a private conversation that broke California law.
“A jealous rant to a lover never intended to be published cannot offend the NBA rules,” Sterling’s lawyer wrote.
And, although Sterling is being of fered a staggering $2.5 billion for the team, he complained about the “egregious” tax bill he would face if he is forced to sell the team.
The NBA banned Sterling (right) for life and slammed him with a $2.5 million fine for his hatefilled tirade.
Despite the legal challenge a lawyer for Sterling’s wife, Shelly Sterling, confirmed that Donald already ceded his 50 percent share of the team to her and she is “working cooperatively” with the NBA to unload the team.
“While no formal offers have yet been received, Shelly and the NBA are working cooperatively on the transaction,” her lawyer, Pierce O’Donnell, said.
Shelly Sterling has already met with former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on a possible offer, TMZ reported.
But Donald Sterling defended himself to the league anyway, in a letter that claims that his misguided comments about AfricanAmericans pale in comparison to other misdeeds by NBA players and owners.
“Judging in terms of the punishment . . . Mr. Sterling’s offense is far and away the worst offense that any player, coach or owner has ever committed in the history of the NBA,” the letter said.
“In the past, the NBA has either punished offensive speech with a modest fine or ignored it.”
Sterling also claims that he did not consent to be recorded by his former gal pal V. Stiviano — which would make the recording illegal in the state of California.
The NBA’s Board of Governors will meet on June 3 in New York. If the board sustains the charges, the Sterlings’ interests in the Clippers will “be terminated and the team will be sold,” the league said.
Sterling’s downfall began April 29, when a recording surfaced of him telling Stiviano not to bring black people, including NBA legend Magic Johnson, to Clippers games.