Donald Sterling is not backing down from a fight.
The owner of the Los Angeles Clippers has hired four high-caliber firms to investigate David Stern, Adam Silver, and the 29 other NBA owners, according to sources close to Sterling's legal team. It’s rumored that the firms hired by Sterling include several former FBI agents.
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According to the sources, Sterling's primary target is the league itself — including previous NBA Commissioner David Stern and current league head Adam Silver — whose finances he has questioned and whose revenue he believes are being misappropriated. Sterling's investigators will also look into previous legal disputes, which are currently sealed, that call into question the league’s alleged discriminatory practices.
Last, investigators will look into the conduct of NBA owners, with the intent of proving that Sterling's conduct was singled out by Adam Silver due to Sterling’s long history of challenging Stern and Silver over mismanagement of finances, according to the sources.
In a statement earlier this week, Sterling called on the NBA to examine its “history of discriminatory practices which is supported by the numerous lawsuits filed by NBA employees claiming gender based discrimination.”
He accused Silver of turning a blind eye toward those alleged discriminatory practices, "including those that occurred under his many years of leadership."
Silver banned Sterling from the league for life in response to racist comments made by Sterling during a private conversation recorded by Sterling’s companion, V. Stiviano.
- Ryan Creed