The NBA brought formal charges against Donald Sterling on Monday. The Los Angeles Clippers owner was accused of damaging the league and its teams with his racist comments.

A hearing, slated for June 3rd, gives owners the chance to terminate Sterling’s ownership of the team with a vote. 

From Associated Press:

“All of these acts provide grounds for termination under several provisions of the NBA constitution and related agreements,” the league said in a statement.

Sterling was banned for life and fined $2.5 million by Commissioner Adam Silver after the release of a recording in which he made racist remarks. He has until May 27 to respond to the charge, and the right to appear at the hearing and make a presentation before the board of governors. He has the right to a lawyer at the hearing, but strict courtroom rules of evidence would not apply.

Read more at Associated Press

Sterling’s attorney asked for a three-month delay in response to the charge, but the league refused to grant it.

Board Chairman and Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor will preside over the hearing in New York, which is scheduled to take place two days before the NBA Finals. If three-fourths of the other 29 owners vote to sustain the charge, Sterling will be forced to sell the team.

 

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