The NBA has filed a counterclaim against Donald Sterling and the Sterling Family Trust on Monday, saying that the ex-Clippers owner caused “devastating and incalculable harm” to the league.
The counterclaim was filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles after Stering filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver in June according to The Los Angeles Times. The league is seeking to recover damages related to the owner’s controversial comments about African Americans.
Certain Clippers players including Chris Paul and coach Doc Rivers stated they would boycott the 2014 season if Sterling remained the owner according to Covers.com.
The counterclaim said that according to the NBA’s constitution and a July 2005 document Sterling signed, Sterling must compensate the NBA against losses and litigation.
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge ruled that his wife Shelly Sterling acted appropriately by removing her husband as a trustee in the Sterling Family Trist and in agreeing to sell the team to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $2 billion. On Tuesday the league announced the official sale of the team to Ballmer.
There are several lawsuits between Donald Sterling, the NBA and his wife, but unless Sterling can sway Judge Michael Levanas by Wednesday, then the sale of the team will be completed.