NBA charges Sterling, sets up June 3 hearing which could end his ownership of the Clippers

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FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2011, file photo, Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling looks on during the first half of their NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles. Sterling could use lawyers and lawsuits to challenge the NBA’s plan to force him out over recent racist comments, but legal experts say the league would likely prevail in the end. Sports law experts say the NBA’s constitution gives its Board of Governors broad latitude in league decisions including who owns the teams. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver wants a swift vote against Sterling, which requires a minimum of three-fourths of the other 29 controlling owners to agree. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The NBA has initiated a charge against Donald Sterling, setting up a June 3 hearing after which owners could vote to terminate his ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers.

The charge Monday asserts that Sterling has damaged the NBA and its teams, disparaged African-Americans and that he his actions “significantly undermine the NBA’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.”

Sterling, who has been banned for life by Commissioner Adam Silver after the release of a recording in which he made racist remarks, has until May 27 to respond to the charge, and the right to appear at the hearing in front of the board of governors.

If three-fourths of the owners vote to sustain the charge, Sterling will be forced to sell the team he has owned since 1981.

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