NBA files motion to dismiss Donald Sterling lawsuit

The NBA filed a motion on Monday to dismiss Donald Sterling's federal lawsuit against the league.

The NBA filed a motion on Monday to dismiss former Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling's federal lawsuit against the league, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Sterling expanded the lawsuit last month to include his wife, Rochelle, along with two doctors who determined he was mentally incapable of continuing as an owner of the Clippers and maintaining his family trust, NBA commissioner Adam Silver and former commissioner David Stern.

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Silver banned Sterling from the NBA for life last year after Sterling's offensive remarks about African Americans became public.

From the Times, which also has the NBA's full motion to dismiss the lawsuit:

"Rather than accept responsibility for the incalculable harm he caused and threatened to cause the NBA and the Clippers, Mr. Sterling instead brought this lawsuit," the NBA’s motion said.

The filing assailed Sterling’s amended complaint as "baseless."

The NBA also asked the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles to dismiss Stern as a defendant in Sterling's lawsuit because no "legally cognizable claim" was made.

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After Sterling was forced to sell the Clippers, Microsoft billionaire Steve Ballmer purchased the team in August. Sterling also sued his wife and the NBA in a separate proceeding before withdrawing the suit in October.

- Mike Fiammetta