And if he doesn’t abide by the franchise agreement... the NBA’s recourse is to take him to court. That can take years to work itself out. In the mean time... go to the game. Hire and fire whoever you want... and go on with life as usual.... until a governmental agency restricts you.
Not according to the NBA Constitution and NBA Bylaws, to which Sterling's agreed. Paragraph 13 of the Constitution establishes the owners' right to terminate another owner's franchise. Sterling agreed to that.
Sterling also agreed to Paragraph 24(m) of the Constitution, saying that the NBA commissioner's decision is "final, binding, and conclusive" and is final as an award of arbitration. Courts are loathe to mess with a private agreed-upon arbitration award.