Reports about LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling continue to be abuzz in the NBA community after the notorious billionaire allegedly refused to pay the imposed fine and even threatened to file a lawsuit. Aside from the fine imposed by the commissioner, Sterling has also been banned for life from the NBA. According to reports by Sports Illustrated, the banned owner has refused to pay the NBA-levied fine of $2.5 million over his recent racist remarks.

Maxwell Blecher, Sterling's attorney, wrote to Rick Buchanan, saying that Sterling did not do anything wrong and that "no punishment is warranted," reports say. Buchanan is the executive vice president/general counsel of the NBA. Blecher further added in the letter that they reject the NBA's demand for payment, also discussing a couple of possible legal defenses that Sterling may use as the case is moving toward litigation. On the other hand, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver pushes for a fast and decisive vote against Sterling that would require a minimum of at least three-quarters of the other 29 controlling owners.

One of the main arguments presented in the letter by Blecher is that Sterling's rights for due process were violated when the imposition of the ban was given after a four-day investigation. Reports add that the owner had not actually violated any article found in the NBA constitution, to which Sterling is a signatory. While all this is ongoing, Dick Parsons of Time Warner and Citigroup has been assigned by the NBA in overseeing the LA Clippers' business operations. He said this week that it is in no one's interest to enter into legal battle. "I would hope we could avoid that," he said.

In the case that Sterling is forced out, he would still reap huge financial benefits in selling the Clippers, which he bought for $12.5 million in 1981. Currently, Forbes magazine places the franchise's value at $575 million, ranking 13th in the NBA.