Nearly two years after being banned from the NBA and fined $2.5 million, Donald Sterling saw his $600 million antitrust lawsuit against the National Basketball Association and his wife, Shelly, dismissed. U.S. District Judge Fernando M. Olguin brought up major issues with Sterling's lawsuit.
Regardless, an attorney representing Sterling said his client is considering an appeal and further legal action against the NBA. Sterling, 81, maintains the $2 billion sale of the team to ex-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer forced upon him was made at a "markedly reduced" price.
Olguin ruled Tuesday he was "skeptical Sterling suffered any injury at all, let alone an antitrust injury." He also deemed various aspects of Sterling's lawsuit against the Clippers and Shelly Sterling, his wife and a team co-owner, "plainly insufficient" and "clearly implausible."
Bobby Samini, Sterling's attorney, said Wednesday the billionaire is considering an additional lawsuit but had not decided on whether to appeal Olguin's ruling. An attorney representing Shelly Sterling, Pierce O'Donnell, indicated the case was all but closed.
"[Olguin's ruling] puts a merciful end to his quixotic litigation campaign over the sale for the record-shattering price of $2 billion," he said. "Ironically, Donald, in defeat, is the beneficiary of $2 billion, secured by Shelley in her courageous battle in doing the right thing to protect her family and ensure that her beloved team would be sold to a conscientious owner who would take the team to the next level of excellence."
NBA commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling from the league for life in April 2014 and fined him $2.5 million after he was heard making racist remarks on leaked audio recordings. Silver also moved to unite the league in forcing Sterling to sell the Clippers. The next month, Sterling publicly apologized and shortly after, his wife agreed to sell the team to Ballmer.
Sterling also named Silver and former NBA commissioner David Stern in his lawsuit, as well two doctors who stated he was showing symptoms of Alzheimer's. The doctors' remarks helped Shelly Sterling remove her husband from the family's trust and thus from having any ownership of the Clippers.
The NBA has not commented publicly on the lawsuit being dismissed.
