NBA charges Donald Sterling, schedules June 3 vote

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Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling has until May 27 to respond to the National Basketball Association, which on Monday "initiated a charge" seeking to terminate all ownership rights in the franchise,[url=http://www.billigeday.com/nike-air-max-33]Nike Air Max[/url], the NBA announced in a written statement.
Sterling, who owns the team with his wife, Shelly,[url=http://www.billigeday.com/nike-shox-34]Billige Nike Shox[/url], through a family trust, will also be allowed to make a presentation at a special Board of Governors meeting scheduled for June 3.
However, attorney Maxwell Blecher has demanded on behalf of Sterling that the NBA give the longtime owner a three-month extension to prepare his response, Sports Illustrated reported Monday night. The magazine, which like CNN is owned by Time Warner, said the NBA would reject the request.
A receptionist at Blecher's office told CNN she had been advised to give a "no comment" to all media inquiries involving Donald Sterling.
The NBA declined to comment on the Sports Illustrated report.
In order to terminate the Sterlings' franchise rights, 75% (23) of the 30 team owners would have to vote to sustain the charge and force a sale. Because Sterling is banned from any NBA activities,[url=http://www.billigeday.com/]Nike Shox[/url], he is not allowed to vote, but the Clippers will have a vote, the NBA said.
NBA bylaws say that if Sterling doesn't respond in five business days or appear at a hearing, it will be deemed an admission to the "total validity" of the charge.
If the owner does appear, he may be represented by a lawyer, but the NBA constitution says: "Strict rules of evidence shall not apply, and all relevant and material evidence submitted prior to and at the hearing may be received and considered."
The 80-year-old lawyer and billionaire real estate investor is already fighting a $2.5 million fine and a lifetime ban imposed by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. The longtime owner has argued he has been denied due process.
The NBA included his failure to pay among the reasons for the charge.
The league said it has been damaged by Sterling's racist remarks to V,[url=http://www.billigeday.com/nike-free-run-38]Nike Free Run[/url]. Stiviano that were posted online in April by TMZ and in an interview with CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360."
"Among other things, Mr. Sterling disparaged African-Americans and 'minorities'; directed a female acquaintance not to associate publicly with African-Americans or to bring African-Americans to Clippers games; and criticized African-Americans for not supporting their communities," the statement said.
In an exclusive interview with CNN's "AC 360" last week, Sterling talked about his relationship with Stiviano and racism in America, and he trashed Magic Johnson and other minorities.
"That's one problem I have. Jews,[url=http://www.billigeday.com/]Nike Dk[/url], when they get successful, they will help their people. And some of the African-Americans,[url=http://www.billigeday.com/nike-air-max-33]Billige Air Max[/url], maybe I'll get in trouble again, they don't want to help anybody," said Sterling, who is Jewish.
Some owners said privately -- and Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said publicly -- after the scandal first unfolded that it would be difficult to vote on removing an owner for a personal conversation. CNN's Rachel Nichols told Cooper his interview has changed some minds, according to NBA insiders she had spoken with in the past week.
"If there were any owners who were concerned about should we be kicking someone out for a private tape, (they) now feel more comfortable," she said. "Because Donald Sterling went on television with you and made statements that were abhorrent to so many people,[url=http://www.billigeday.com/nike-air-max-33]Air Max[/url], they feel as if they are on much firmer ground to kick him out."