(jta) — Donald Sterling reportedly is threatening to sue the NBA for his life ban for making racist remarks in a private conversation.

Sports Illustrated reported Thursday that Sterling’s lawyer, Maxwell Blecher, wrote the NBA to say that Sterling, who owns the Los Angeles Clippers, would not pay the $2.5 million fine imposed last month and that “no punishment is warranted” for his actions.

The incriminatory recording is of an argument between Sterling and his girlfriend, V. Stiviano.

Sterling, who is Jewish, berates her for associating with black men and also derides black Jews in Israel.

In a subsequent interview with CNN, Sterling suggested blacks were less inclined to charity than Jews.

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