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NBA begins process to replace Donald Sterling as Clippers owner

Clippers owner Donald Sterling, already banned from all NBA activities, could soon be forced to sell his team, or fight for the right to keep it.
(Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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In an expected move, the 10 NBA owners on the advisory/finance committee unanimously agreed Thursday to “move forward as expeditiously as possible” to terminate Donald Sterling’s ownership of the Clippers, according to a statement released by the NBA.

The committee meets occasionally throughout the year and had scheduled a conference call to specifically address Sterling’s ownership. The 10 owners agreed to talk again next week, though it was not known when the 30 owners would take an official vote to try to oust Sterling.

Three-fourths of the owners -- 22 in this case -- would have to agree to terminate Sterling’s ownership of the Clippers to begin the process of forcing the franchise’s sale.

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed confidence Tuesday that he would have full support of the owners, and the 10-person committee’s unanimous action Wednesday reinforced that notion.

Jeanie Buss, the highest-ranking Lakers official and the team’s governor, was part of the committee. She could not be reached for comment.

Sterling was banned for life from the NBA by Silver on Monday and fined $2.5 million. Silver does not have the power alone to force Sterling to sell the Clippers.

Sterling, however, could file a lawsuit if the owners agreed he should sell the franchise he has held for 33 years.

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