LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterlings team of lawyers has hired four private investigation firms to dig up dirt on the NBAs former and
current commissioners and its 29 other owners, said a person familiar with
Sterlings legal strategy.
Martin St. Louis Rangers Jersey . Investigators were given a six-figure budget over the next 30 days to examine
the leagues finances, allegations of previous discriminatory conduct and
compensation to past Commissioner David Stern and current Commissioner Adam
Silver, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday night on
condition of anonymity. The person wasnt authorized to talk publicly. The person
said the investigators also are looking into whether other owners made any
off-colour jokes, or racist or sexist remarks. "The gloves are off, as they
say," the person said. "Have them dig up all the dirt they can find." The
80-year-old Sterling is suing the NBA for $1 billion in federal court after the
league tried to oust him as Clippers owner for making racist remarks to a
girlfriend that were recorded and publicized. Silver fined him $2.5 million and
banned him for life. The suit alleges the league violated Sterlings
constitutional rights by relying on information from an "illegal" recording. It
also said the league committed a breach of contract by fining Sterling and that
it violated antitrust laws by trying to force a sale. Sterlings attorneys also
will be facing off with his wifes attorneys in probate court during a four-day
hearing scheduled for July. The probate court hearing centres on whether Shelly
Sterling had the right to unilaterally negotiate a $2 billion deal to sell the
Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. Shelly Sterlings attorney,
Pierce ODonnell, said she made the deal as the sole administrator of The
Sterling Family Trust, which owns the team, after two doctors determined her
estranged husband was mentally "incapacitated." Donald Sterling is fighting that
conclusion and her authority to sell. The person who spoke to the AP said Donald
Sterling reluctantly agreed to hire private investigators after this weeks legal
proceedings in probate court. The NBA submitted a legal filing Wednesday urging
a judge to confirm Shelly Sterlings authority to sell the team. "He realized
these guys will literally go to any low to get this sold," the person said.
"Even if it gets (him) nothing other than exposing all these guys and shaking up
the league and seeing a change in the leadership of the league, itll be worth it
to him." The firms will be engaged in an "audition" of sorts, the individual
said: "Whoever delivers the best (material) is going to stay on for the next
round and it might be all four of them...29 owners is not a small undertaking."
J.T. Miller Rangers Jersey . The three-year deal was finalized on Monday and fundamentally changes the way Japanese players
are acquired by MLB clubs. Now, if an NPB Club wishes to make one of its players
available to Major League Clubs, they will notify the MLB Commissioner of the
players availability and the release feethat must be paid to the NPB Club in
order to secure release.
Mats Zuccarello Rangers Jersey . Louis Cardinals and Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL Central. Cincinnati called up
Hamilton and infielder Neftali Soto from Triple-A Louisville on Monday before
the opener of a four-game series against St. IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys
running back Felix Jones is listed as questionable for Saturdays game against
Philadelphia after missing practice all week because of hamstring tightness. The
NFC East-leading Cowboys had said during the week they were being cautious with
Jones, who was limited to working on the side never formally practised. He is
coming off consecutive 100-yard rushing games since rookie DeMarco Murray, the
teams leading rusher, broke his right ankle in a loss to the New York Giants two
weeks ago and was put on injured reserve. During one of his regular weekly radio
appearances Friday, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he would be surprised if
Felix Jones didnt play. But the owner also said it was important to have a plan
since the fourth-year running back hadnt practised. Sammy Morris, a 12-year NFL
veteran who signed with Dallas and made his season debut last week, would start
if Jones doesnt play. On Friday, the Cowboys signed running back
Chauncey Washington to the active roster from their practice squad. Morris and
Washington split time at practice in Jones absence. Linebacker DeMarcus Ware
(neck stinger) and nose tackle Jay Ratliff (ribs) were also listed as
questionable, but both are expected to play after having limited participation
three days in a row.
Howie Morenz Canadiens Jersey. . Ware and Ratliff both played with those lingering issues in last weeks win at Tampa Bay,
though came out after the Cowboys built a 28-0 half-time lead. Dallas also
listed as questionable cornerback Mike Jenkins (shoulder), safety Danny McCray
(ankle) and receivers Kevin Ogletree (knee) and Laurent Robinson (shoulder).
McCray and Ogletree didnt practise this week. Nose tackle Josh Brent is out with
a knee injury. If the New York Giants lose earlier Saturday to the New York
Jets, the Cowboys (8-6) would be able to clinch the division title in their
regular-season home finale with a win over Philadelphia (6-8). But if the Giants
(7-7) win, the Eagles would be eliminated from playoff contention and the NFC
East champion would then be the winner of the New Years Day game when Dallas
travels to play the Giants. Washington, whose only four NFL carries came as a
rookie for Jacksonville in 2008, was signed to the Cowboys practice squad Nov.
30. He had been out of football since being cut by St. Louis during training
camp Aug. 4. The Cowboys released guard Daniel Loper, who was inactive for seven
games this season.
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