Forcing Donald Sterling to sell Clippers may not be slam dunk
LOS ANGELES -- With overwhelming support from fans, the Clippers' victory Tuesday night was a slam dunk. But forcing Donald Sterling to sell his team may not be.
According to the NBA's constitution and bylaws, Commissioner Adam Silver is responsible for "protecting the integrity of the game...and preserving public confidence in the league."
But Sterling could tie everything up in court.
"He can litigate and slow it down as much as his resources and legal process will allow," says David Carter, a professor of sports business at the University of Southern California. "Or he can potentially dictate terms and say, 'I will sell the team, I will work with you, but you have to give me some ability to orchestrate that sale.'"
Oprah Winfrey told CBS News she may partner with media mogul David Geffen and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison. Boxing champ Floyd Mayweather Jr. has thrown his hat in the ring, and so has hip hop entrepreneur Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.
Twenty-three out of 30 teams will have to vote to oust Sterling. The NBA says the Clippers will get a vote, but it's not known yet who will represent the Clippers. A subcommittee of owners is planning to meet Thursday to discuss the next steps in the process.
