Shelly Sterling seeks protections for witnesses

LOS ANGELES — Shelly Sterling's attorneys will ask a judge Thursday to order Donald Sterling and his attorneys to not threaten, harass or intimidate his wife's legal team and doctors who determined the Los Angeles Clippers' co-owner was mentally incapacitated.

A person with knowledge of the legal proceedings told The Associated Press that the urgent request seeks protections for witnesses including three doctors who may be witnesses in next month's scheduled trial to determine if Shelly Sterling can sell the Clippers to former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer for $2 billion.

The individual wasn't authorized to comment and spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday night on condition of anonymity.

Donald Sterling's attorney, Maxwell Blecher, said a representative will be in court but wouldn't comment further. Representatives for Shelly Sterling and her attorney, Pierce O'Donnell, declined comment.

It's unclear what or if any specific incidents led to the decision to go to court Thursday. Neither party commented and court papers were not filed.

Shelly Sterling's deal with Ballmer was struck Donald Sterling racist remarks to a girlfriend were recorded and publicized. The NBA moved to oust him as team owner, fined him $2.5 million and banned him for life.

O'Donnell said doctors determined the 80-year-old Donald Sterling was mentally "incapacitated" thereby making her sole administrator of the family trust, which owns the team, according to its terms. Donald Sterling is fighting that contention and her authority to sell. The deal would be record breaking if approved by the NBA's owners.

Donald Sterling is also suing the NBA for $1 billion in federal court and alleges the league violated his constitutional rights, committed breach of contract and violated antitrust laws. He has hired four private investigations firms to dig up dirt on the NBA's former and current commissioners and its owners, according to a person familiar with Donald Sterling's legal strategy.