Donald Sterling has hired an attorney and is refusing to pay his $2.5 million dollar fine. He's also threatening to sue the NBA. Sterling hired antitrust attorney Maxwell Blecher who has sent a letter to the NBA claiming Sterling has done nothing wrong and he won't pay the fine, via SI:
The letter, sources tell SI.com, claims that Sterling has done nothing wrong and that "no punishment is warranted" for Sterling. Blecher also tells Buchanan that Sterling will not pay the $2.5 million fine, which is already past due. Blecher ends the letter by saying this controversy "will be adjudicated."
Blecher's letter makes clear what many have anticipated: Donald Sterling will not go down without a fight and that he is taking active steps toward litigation. A letter of this type is considered a precursor to the filing of a lawsuit. Blecher's letter offers no ambiguity about Sterling's intentions.
"We reject your demand for payment," the letter tells Buchanan, who on May 14 informed Sterling by letter that he must pay the $2.5 million fine.Everyone who knew Donald Sterling said there would be a fight and he would not step down quietly and that is exactly what is happening. This should get very interesting when it drags on and a legal battle ensues. What will the players do? What will Doc Rivers do?